The justice system, under the control of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, reactivated this Friday more political trials against opponents and scheduled them for the first and second week of February, a measure that occurs when relatives demand the annulment of the processes plagued with irregularities and the immediate release of prisoners of conscience.
This Friday, January 28, the scheduling of the trials of the leader of the Democratic Renovating Union (Unamos) —formerly the Sandinista Renovating Movement (MRS)—, Suyén Barahona, for February 7; the journalist Miguel Mora, for February 4; the human rights lawyer María Oviedo, for February 14; and presidential candidate Noel Vidaurre. All the hearings that will be held in the police facilities of “the new Chipote” in Managua.
These new reactivations are added to those already known, on January 26, 2022, of the leaders of Unamos: Ana Margarita Vijil (February 2), Dora María Téllez (February 3), Yader Parajón (February 1) and Yaser Vado (February 1). In addition to the sports writer Miguel Mendoza (February 8) and the political scientist José Antonio Peraza (February 9).
All of those prosecuted were imprisoned in the context of the regime’s repressive escalation, in the middle and end of 2021, through which it eliminated electoral competition for the votes last November, in which Ortega won a fourth consecutive term.
Most of the accusations against opponents are for alleged “treason against the country”, by encouraging —according to the government version— a foreign intervention in internal affairs. In the case of Dr. Oviedo y Vado, it is for the alleged violation of the Special Cybercrime Law, with which the regime punishes alleged false news.
family statement
The relatives of the political prisoners denounced the illegalities committed in the judicial processes. In a statement, released this Friday, they reiterated the innocence of their relatives.
“During all this time—more than eight months in most cases—our relatives have been kept totally defenseless and inhumanely discriminated against,” they affirmed.
The relatives of political prisoners indicated that their right to defense has been violated and hindered, holding secret hearings without the presence of lawyers or relatives, while they have been prevented from meeting with their lawyers and having access to their complete case files.
“At this important moment in national history, where all of Nicaragua is drowning in pain and mourning, the freedom of all political prisoners is essential to build a climate of justice and peace,” they added, while recalling their right to be present. in all hearings, since criminal trials are public.
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