Romero_Trial_Transcript_8_25_04_53_2

8-25-04 Trial Transcript
9 the Supreme Court, and that's how I was able to reenter.
10 THE COURT: And how long did you then continue to
11 serve as Magistrate to the Supreme Court?
12 THE WITNESS: Five years.
13 THE COURT: Was there a time when the condition of
14 war ceased? This is in El Salvador.
15 THE WITNESS: Yes. It ceased in 1992. But the
16 government -- the governing bodies were still the same.
17 THE COURT: At any time that you returned, after
18 1990, was there ever a condition, and I'm going to use the
19 term "martial law", if you recognize it, I will ask you
20 foundationally, first, do you recognize the term in El
21 Salvadoran law of "martial law"?
22 THE WITNESS: Yes.
23 THE COURT: Where civil authority is suspended and
24 the government, either the military or some other paramilitary
25 force exercises the hegemony over the population?
RAMIREZ AMAYA - D
233
1 THE WITNESS: Yes.
2 THE COURT: Did that type of martial law ever pertain
3 after 1990?
4 THE WITNESS: Well, there was an Executive power, or
5 someone, an Executive, but it was the military who was
6 governing the country up until 1992.
7 THE COURT: You have said that even though there was
8 a cessation of hostilities, that the military remained in
9 power?
10 THE WITNESS: There was a civil government, but the
11 people that were managing the government and, they were the
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