Two opponents of conspiracy in Nicaragua are found guilty 0:55
(CNN Spanish) --
In Nicaragua, the former presidential candidate and leader of the Peasant Movement Medardo Mairena, the peasant leader Pedro Mena and the member of the group promoting electoral reforms José Antonio Peraza were found guilty of the crime of conspiracy to undermine the integrity leaders of the Peasant Movement, the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights and the Legal Defense Unit reported in closed-door trials held this Wednesday at the Judicial Assistance Directorate.
Kenya Gutiérrez, a member of the Peasant Movement, reported on social networks about the trial against the peasant leaders.
She pointed out that "the Sandinista prosecutor's office is asking for 10 years in prison for Pedro Mena and 13 for Medardo Mairena." Gutiérrez told CNN that she will read the sentence on February 17.
The National Police detained Mairena and Mena on July 5, 2021 under investigation for alleged actions against national sovereignty.
In July 2018, the Prosecutor's Office accused Mairena and Mena of the crimes of terrorism, organized crime, simple kidnapping, aggravated robbery and damage to public property.
In February 2019, a judge sentenced Mairena to 216 years in prison and Pedro Mena to 210 for terrorism and other crimes.
Benefited by the Amnesty Law, both peasant leaders were released on June 10, 2019.
Opposition peasant leaders Medardo Mairena, Pedro Mena and Freddy Navas celebrate after being released on June 11, 2019 in Managua.
Credit: MAYNOR VALENZUELA/AFP via Getty Images
The Legal Defense Unit (UDJ) and the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) reported through their social networks about the court ruling against Peraza.
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"Judge 4th Dist. Criminal Trials Ángel Jancarlos Fernández González issues a guilty verdict against the political prisoner José Antonio Peraza for the crime of conspiracy to undermine national integrity. The Prosecutor's Office asks for 10 years in prison plus Disqualification for charges," said the UDJ.
For its part, the Cenidh noted on Twitter that the hearing against Peraza was full of annulments and that they flatly reject the court ruling.
The Police detained Peraza on July 26, 2021 under investigation for alleged acts that undermine independence, national sovereignty and incite foreign interference in the country's internal affairs.
The Nicaraguan Judiciary has not provided details on the development of these trials, nor has the Public Ministry updated information on the cases, which according to Cenidh are handled politically.
There are already 13 opposition leaders, including peasant leaders, student leaders, activists and former diplomats, brought to trial and found guilty of crimes against sovereignty during the last 2 weeks.
13 years in prison for Miguel Mora
The journalist and former presidential candidate for the closed Democratic Restoration Party (PRD), Miguel Mora, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, according to Cenidh.
Mora was found guilty of the crime of conspiracy last Friday.
"The journalist Miguel Mora has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, his only crime was denouncing the brutal repression by the Ortega Murillo regime in 2018," Cenidh said on Twitter, adding that "these are null sentences."
Mora's wife, Verónica Chávez, rejected the sentence alleging that her partner had not committed crimes and said that "justice will come from God."