Nicaragua releases some 40 political prisoners, they remain under house arrest

Nicaraguan authorities released some 40 political prisoners on Saturday, two activists there told Reuters. Those freed, however, remain under house arrest and must report regularly to police.

Alfredo Gutierrez, coordinator of the Liberales Nicaragua party operating outside the country, confirmed that activist José Alejandro Hurtado, who was detained in January, was among those released, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Ana Margarita Vijil of the opposition Unamos said many of those released had not seen their relatives for months or years.

The presidential palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment. President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, who shares power with him, have faced criticism for years for cracking down hard on dissent. Opposition groups say more than 70 political opponents, including student leaders and civic activists, were jailed in the country before Saturday's release.

In 2023, Nicaragua freed more than 200 political prisoners, who were subsequently deported to the US. Among them were five former candidates who challenged Ortega in the 2021 presidential election. Western countries branded his re-election as undemocratic and illegitimate.

(reuters, sab)