María del Socorro Oviedo, Human Rights Defender, Arrested in Nicaragua

Relatives of detained opponents: They attack their honor and reputation 3:52

(CNN Spanish) -

The Nicaraguan National Police reported, without providing details of the place or circumstance, that this Thursday they detained the lawyer and human rights defender María del Socorro Oviedo Delgado, in accordance with article 1 of Law 1055 of Defense of the Rights of the People to Independence, Sovereignty and Self-determination for Peace.

The police reported that Oviedo, coordinator of the special legal team of the Permanent Commission on Human Rights, is being investigated for carrying out alleged "acts that undermine independence, sovereignty, and self-determination, inciting foreign interference in internal affairs, request military interventions, organize with financing from foreign powers to carry out acts of terrorism and destabilization, propose and manage economic, commercial and financial blockades against the country and its institutions, demand, exalt and applaud the imposition of sanctions against the State of Nicaragua and its citizens, and injure the supreme interests of the nation. "

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According to the statement, "the National Police carries out all the pertinent investigative procedures and will refer the investigated person to the competent authorities for prosecution and determination of criminal responsibilities."

This Thursday afternoon, the Permanent Commission on Human Rights (CPDH) reported through its social networks that Dr. María Oviedo "was arrested this afternoon."

According to the CPDH, "so far the next of kin have not been allowed to see her, nor have they given arguments for her detention."

Cenidh demanded the immediate release of the lawyer and that her physical and psychological integrity be respected.

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A second arrest for Oviedo

It is the second time that Oviedo has been arrested.

On July 26, 2019, she was arrested at the Masaya police station, when she was accompanying a released opponent in an interview.

At that time, he faced charges of obstruction of public functions and threats to an officer.

Oviedo has pleaded not guilty and argued that she defended herself against a police chief who approached her inappropriately.

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A judicial authority found her guilty of obstruction of public functions and dictated a month in prison for the lawyer, which was revoked for gender reasons, but in an administrative process she was disqualified from her functions as a lawyer and notary for 6 months.

Oviedo's arrest occurs a few hours after the arrest of former Foreign Minister Francisco Xavier Aguirre Sacasa, and of the political scientist and member of the opposition Blue and White National Unit, José Antonio Peraza, who are also investigated under Law 1055, as well as 27 other opponents. to the government of President Daniel Ortega, who have already rejected the accusations through their families and lawyers.

This, both for the opposition and for human rights organizations, constitutes a pattern of accusations against aspiring opponents.

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