Diario Extra – The death of a "political prisoner" slows negotiations in Nicaragua

Managua (EFE) – The opposition alliance that discusses with the government an exit from the crisis of Nicaragua will be absent Monday from the negotiating table for the second consecutive session since last Thursday, a "political prisoner" died after being shot in the prison of "La Modelo".

Daniel Ortega 's own government announced on Monday the absence of the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, which refused Friday to sit down at the table to protest the death of Mr. Eddy Montes Praslín, Nicaraguan American citizen. the list of at least 232 "political prisoners" that the executive promised to release in March.

The Foreign Ministry said in a press release that the government delegation "will be present at the negotiating table, as every day, to continue the negotiations." The other delegation said it would not participate, "which accused the Alliance" not "to fulfill its" word ".

Montes Praslín died last Thursday when, according to the official version, he attacked a prison guard at "La Modelo" prison, where he had been detained indefinitely, and "there was a shot."

According to the information available, Montes Praslín was reported missing in October and reportedly in prison.

The defendants in turn claim that the victim was hit by a bullet in the back during an armed attack by the guards, who would be on the other side of a fence.

Various sectors of Nicaraguan society have lobbied the Civic Alliance for not participating in the negotiations until the government fulfills its commitment to release the 809 "political prisoners" retained by the opposition.

The government has promised to change the prison regime to 232 sentenced protesters to send them to "family coexistence" no later than 18 June.

In March this year, the Alliance and the government agreed that "political prisoners" would be released immediately and that the authorities would respect the Constitution with regard to freedom of expression and the press, but the restrictions remained up to date. 39, to date.

Negotiations between opponents and the government of Nicaragua they were suspended on April 3, but the parties held meetings to find a way for the executive branch to respect signed agreements and discuss justice for the victims of the crisis and the return of democracy.

The crisis of Nicaragua it was launched in April 2018 and, at the same time, hundreds of people have died, been arrested or disappeared during large-scale demonstrations against President Daniel Ortega.

According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), some 325 people have died in the context of the crisis, although local organizations estimate the number at 593, not including Montes Praslín, while Ortega recognizes 199.