The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has requested the protection of 17 political prisoners in Nicaragua following the death of an opponent in prison

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (I / A Court HR) asked this Tuesday Nicaragua takes measures to protect the life, health and physical integrity of 17 detainees for taking part in demonstrations against the president Daniel Ortega

"There are enough elements to determine the existence of a situation of extreme gravity and therefore, the urgent need to take the necessary measures to avoid irreparable damage to the rights to health, life and personal integrity " 17 opponents, "wherever they are."

The list includes journalists Miguel Mora and Lucía Pineda, closed channel 100% of news, to the student leader Edwin Carache, the peasant leader Medardo Mairena, the retailer Ireland Jerez and the student of Belgian origin Amaya Coppens.

Also at KEvin Espinoza, Cristian Fajardo, Yubrank Suazo, Mario Lener Fonseca, Ricardo Baltodano, Olesia Munoz, Jaime Ampie, Julio Ampie, Reynaldo Lira, Tania Muñoz and María Adilia Peralta.

The last five were released on Monday and they are kept under house arrest.

For those who remain imprisoned, the President of the Inter-American Court, Eduardo Ferrerasked the Nicaraguan Government "to evaluate immediately the granting alternative measures to the deprivation of libertyin accordance with its rules of procedure and inter-American standards. "

The call comes shortly after the death of his opponent Eddy Montes last weekend, while he was detained at La Modelo Prison. near Managua, in an incident that has not been clarified.

Hundreds of people were arrested for taking part in protests against Ortega, started on April 18 of last year, whose repression also left at least325 dead and 62,000 exiles, according to human rights organizations.

The Nicaraguan government has pledged to release all opponents imprisoned for protest by 18 June. but the opposition claims not to have shown the signs of a willingness to fill it.

(With information from AFP)