NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DAILY TUESDAY 27 MAY 1986

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06651897
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: January 25, 2017
• Case Number: F-2016-01928
• Publication Date: May 27, 1986

Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C06651897
Director of
Central
Intelligence
National Intelligence Daily
Tuesday
27 May 1986
-Tap-Sestet_
("PA C Ann R19 13(
2/ may 7 9t1ti
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C06651897
 Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C06651897
OThrrSeCfet--.
EL SALVADOR: Military Se"zes Investigation
The armed force have taken control from civilian authorities in the
two-month-old investigation of military personnel involved in
kidnaping for profite
The case will be handled by Army courts under Decree 50, a specia
legal provision that gives th military jurisdiction over cases involving
subversion and terrorism.j Embassy this month
-Abet the accused leader of the kidnap ring�Lieugant Colonel
Staben�was released for "lack of evidence," while some
accomplices, including another important line officer, Lieutenant
Colonel Zacapa, remain at large. Three suspected members of the
crime ring have died in suspicious circumstances�two while in police
custody and another after being released from jail temporarily.
Comment: Pressures within the armed forces probably are behind
the unprecedented application of Decree 50 to criminal activity by
military personnel. Military courts probably will limit the scope of
the investigation, which could tarnish the international image of
justice in El Salvador. Civilian investigators were making progress in
developing evidence implicating Staben, Zacapa, and at least
20 others. (S NF)
--VirSeeret__
(b)(3)
NR
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27 May 1986
Approved for Release: 2017/01/18 C06651897