A law passed by Nicaragua’s parliament that allows for the prosecution of those who commit acts abroad against the government of Daniel Ortega came into effect on Friday after being published in the official gazette.
Exiled opponents say that this law reforming the penal code, approved unanimously on Tuesday by the Ortega-controlled congress, will be used as a “tool of transnational repression.”
“Nicaraguan criminal laws will also be applicable to Nicaraguans or foreigners (…) outside the national territory,” states the rule published in the official newspaper La Gaceta.
The actions contemplated by the law include “crimes against public administration”, “cybercrimes” or “crimes against the State or its institutions”, considered as “undermining national integrity”, with penalties of up to 30 years in prison and confiscation of property.
The law also provides for fines and other sanctions against companies and organizations.
“Any penalty imposed for a wilful, negligent or misdemeanor crime will result in the loss of money, property or assets,” the law states.
The Ortega government has tightened legislation and repression following opposition protests in 2018. Since then, some 5,500 NGOs have been closed and their assets confiscated.
The protests have left more than 300 dead in three months, according to the UN, and since then thousands of Nicaraguans have gone into exile and hundreds have been expelled and their property confiscated.
The law came into effect a day after the Ortega government released 135 political prisoners, who were sent to Guatemala, thanks to mediation by the United States.
