Skip to main content

Nicaragua has convicted opponents of President Daniel Ortega

 Nicaragua has been convicting political opponents of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega. A dozen opponents of the president have been convicted of so-called crimes against the nation. They are part of a larger group of prisoners who will be tried.

According to NPR, the opponents were arrested last summer before last year's presidential election. Ortega jailed most of the opponents, including seven presidential candidates. They were convicted on charges of “conspiracy to undermine national integrity”.

The president and his wife said these people are enemies of the state. They also labeled them as terrorists. Reportedly, Ortega easily won re-election in November, giving him a fourth consecutive term in office.

Wilfredo Miranda, a prominent journalist, has been to prison before. Miranda told NPR that the trials are in the same prison where the political prisoners are being held. Their families say they have been tortured. Reportedly, there have been a lot of irregularities in these trials. Lawyers claimed that they don't have enough access to their clients. Lawyers also claimed that a lot of false evidence is being introduced during the trials. 

Nicaragua sentences prominent figures to prison

Recently, Nicaragua also sentenced journalist Miguel Mora to 13 years in prison. Mora was found guilty of the crime of “undermining national integrity” by pro-Ortega judge Nadia Camila Tardencilla. Dora Maria Tellez, leader of the opposition Sandinista Renovation Movement, was convicted in trials held behind closed doors.  A student leader Lesther Aleman was also convicted recently. He, too, is facing 15 years. Reportedly, Maria Fernanda Flores, former First Lady during the term of former President Arnoldo Alemán, was found guilty on 4th February 2022. All 47 prisoners will face trials.

Lawyer Vilma Núñez, who leads the Nicaraguan Human Rights Centre said that the trials would be only for show because the outcomes were already concluded.

President Daniel Ortega


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Bangladesh Military Expresses Discontent Over Chinese Weapons; Reports 'Sub-Standard' and Faulty Parts

  Bangladesh, a traditional buyer of Chinese military equipment, has raised grievances with Beijing regarding the delivery of defective components and technical malfunctions in its imported military hardware. This issue is not unique to Bangladesh, as other nations like Myanmar have also encountered problems with Chinese fighter jets, according to an ET report. Experts in the Chinese defense industry argue that Beijing lacks the expertise to manufacture highly sophisticated military hardware and is not yet considered a top-tier producer of modern defense equipment. They claim that much of China's weapon systems are based on outdated technology copied from the West. Developing countries often opt for Chinese weapons due to their lower cost compared to similar systems from Western countries. China sells arms through state-run export organizations like the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), NORINCO, and CVIC. Sources familiar with the matter told ET that the Bangladesh mil...

India raises concern over North Korea missile tests at UNSC, 2nd time in weeks

 As the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) met for the second time in a month over the missile tests in North Korea, India yet again raised concerns over the impact on peace and security in the region. New Delhi has also reiterated its support for the denuclearisation in the Korean peninsula, underlining that it is “in collective interest” while also stressing that “dialogue and diplomacy” are preferred means to resolve the issue. The latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test by the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) has again sparked tensions between nations with the United States and its allies calling for the country to limit its programs even as Russia and China back Pyongyang amid the likelihood of new sanctions. In the latest UNSC meeting, the United States, Britain, France, and India were among 14 nations to "strongly condemn" the latest North Korea launch on Friday, which was reported to have landed about 125 miles (200 kilometers) from ...

North Korea Celebrates 'New Era of a Space Power' after Satellite Launch

  In a significant development, North Korea recently celebrated what it termed a 'new era of a space power' following the successful launch of a satellite. The reclusive nation's space endeavors have long been a source of international concern and scrutiny, raising questions about its technological capabilities and intentions. This latest achievement has reignited debates and speculation about North Korea's space ambitions. The satellite launch, conducted by North Korea's space agency, comes amid a backdrop of geopolitical tensions and global attention on the Korean Peninsula. The state media hailed the event as a major milestone, highlighting the successful deployment of the satellite into orbit. However, it is important to note that the international community remains skeptical, with concerns over the dual-use nature of space technology that could potentially be applied to ballistic missile systems. North Korea's pursuit of space capabilities has been a conten...