A U.S. federal court of appeals has upheld a judgment ordering two El Salvadoran generals to pay millions of dollars to victims of human rights abuses.
The decision affirms a 2002 ruling requiring two retired generals - Jose Garcia and Carlos Vides Casanova - to pay more than $54 million to three victims of torture who now live in the United States.
The generals led the Salvadoran military during a time of severe repression in the Central American nation from 1979 to 1983. During that time, the three victims were allegedly abducted and tortured by members of the military.
Both the generals and victims now live in the United States, giving U.S. courts jurisdiction in the case.
The generals were originally convicted by a federal court in Florida in 2002.