Ex-El Salvador President Mauricio Funes sentenced to 14 years for negotiating with gangs

A judge has sentenced former El Salvador President Mauricio Funes to 14 years in prison for negotiating with gangs during his administration

A judge sentenced former El Salvador President Mauricio Funes to 14 years in prison Monday for negotiating with gangs during his administration.

Funes’ trial began in April with the former leader living in Nicaragua. El Salvador changed its laws last year to allow trials in absentia.

Prosecutors had accused Funes of illicit association and failure to perform his duties for the gang truce negotiated in 2012. Funes had denied negotiating with the gangs or giving their leaders any privileges.