MANAGUA, Nov 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Thirteen activists including a Belgian-Nicaraguan student were arrested as they tried to deliver aid to relatives of jailed opponents of President Daniel Ortega’s government, Nicaragua’s opposition said.
The family members are on hunger strike at a church in the city of Masaya, about 25 kilometers southeast of the capital, Managua, to protest their loved ones’ incarceration amid a protracted political stalemate following protests last year and a deadly crackdown by government security forces and allied civilian militias.
Haydeé Castillo, a leader of the opposition coalition Blue and White National Unity, said the activists were “unjustly and arbitrarily” detained by police when they tried to enter the San Miguel church and were taken to El Chipote prison in Managua.
The hunger strikers are demanding the release of 130 people the opposition considers political prisoners.
“We condemn this arrest and we ask the international community to act to stop the repression by the government,” Castillo added.
Government officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and police have not confirmed the arrests.
Parish priest Edwin Román said the activists had tried to bring water to the church after water and electrical service were cut off.
He said by phone that he remained inside the church with the hunger strikers and that they were surrounded by police “without possibility of leaving or having access to other people.” — NNN-AGENCIES
