Two newspaper drivers the press from Nicaragua were detained, while a photographer and a reporter who covered the expulsion of a group of nuns They were intimidated by the police presence in their homes on Thursday, according to the newspaper’s complaint.
“[El] regime unleashed a persecution against its personnel,” Yoindicated the published text for the newspaper the press on Thursday night.
The text added that “it is presumed that the two drivers are detained in the cells of the Directorate of Judicial Assistance, known as El Chipote. However, it stated that “as in most cases similar to these, there is little information which is handled so far”.
The information released by the newspaper added that one of the drivers was “kidnapped” on Wednesday night, after following a vehicle in which they were transporting the Missionaries of Charity, who were expelled from the country that day. Another driver who was not involved in the coverage was also arrested, he said. the press.
Then the home of a photographer was raided, while police patrols arrived at the residence of the reporter who covered the subject.
The voice of america He consulted the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Eduardo Enríquez by telephone about the newspaper’s complaint, however, he avoided making comments, alleging security reasons for the staff.
Press situation “is of high concern”
Nicaragua is one of the countries where the exercise of journalism is more difficult, according to organizations that defend and watch over press freedom. In recent times the situation has worsened, with the current administration of Daniel Ortega, who has been in power for more than 15 consecutive years.
Cristofer Mendoza, director of the organization of Independent Journalists and Communicators of Nicaragua (PCIN), told the VOA that the situation experienced by the press in Managua “is of great concern” due to the “criminalization of the Ortega regime” against reporters.
“Two collaborators of the press They have been kidnapped by the Police that defends the interests of the regime, with this they continue to violate fundamental rights in Nicaragua, such as freedom of the press and freedom of expression, “said Mendoza.
“As PCIN, we question the repressive attitude of the regime and that continuity of violating the rights and very lives of journalists,” he added.
The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) has said in this regard that the arrests “are part of the infamous persecution and expulsion of the nuns, but it also becomes a persecution and limitation of freedom of expression.”
“The already difficult work of independent journalists is becoming more difficult,” Cenidh said.
Government silent after arrest
Until the moment of this publication, the government of President Daniel Ortega has not referred to the case, nor has the Public Ministry issued any statement on the causes of the detention of the newspaper’s workers.
The newspaper the presswith almost 100 years of existence, is one of the oldest media outlets in Nicaragua.
In August 2021, the media outlet remained operating only in digital format, after months denouncing a blockade of its raw material, such as paper and ink, which made it difficult to print.
Later, the Sandinista government imprisoned its general manager, Juan Lorenzo Holmann, and took control of the newspaper’s facilities, after accusations of the alleged crime of money laundering. Holmann was sentenced to nine years in prison. after a trial classified as “political”.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called for Holmann’s release and said it must be ensured that journalists are not subject to criminal sanctions for their work.
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