State Department reveals Nicaraguan police killed jailed US citizen

In a statement released Saturday, the state department revealed that the 57-year-old American citizen Eddy Montes had died while in Nicaragua.

"We vehemently condemn the assassination of Mr. Montes, his death, the death of hundreds of innocent civilians at the hands of [Nicaraguan President Daniel] Ortega's security and parapolal forces, as well as the continued detention of hundreds of additional political prisoners, demonstrate the regime's total disregard for human life and democratic freedoms, "said spokesman Morgan Ortagus.

"We call for an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation into the death of Montes, and we reiterate our call for the unconditional release of all political prisoners.The United States will hold the Ortega regime and the Nicaraguan security forces involved in human rights violations, "she said.

According to the State Department, there are more than 500 political prisoners in prison under the direction of Ortega.

"The US government continues to stand with the Nicaraguan people in their struggle to restore respect for human rights and democratic governance in their country," said Ortagus.

According to the associated press, Montes was a US and Nicaraguan double citizen who served in the US Navy. He had returned home to protest the reform.

The Nicaraguan authorities accused the detainees of having "caused serious disturbances". Lawyer Yonarqui Martínez said that Montes had been shot in the back.

Kevin Sullivan, US ambassador to Nicaragua, said that a thorough investigation should be opened on the death of Montes.

"I met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs today to demand a full and transparent investigation into this tragic incident in which other prisoners were also injured." All political prisoners should be released on the same day. as soon as possible to avoid further suffering and injustice, "said Sullivan.