Nicaraguan prosecutors on Thursday accused eight opposition leaders of conspiracy, three of whom planned to challenge President Daniel Ortega’s efforts to fight for a fourth consecutive term.
Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo have been criticized by foreign governments because the Nicaraguan authorities have detained 35 opposition leaders in the past three months, including the president candidate.
The attorney general’s office said in a statement: “They are accused of conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the country.”
Among the defendants are the presidential candidates Arturo Cruz, Juan Sebastian Chamorro and Felix Marradiga, all of whom are being held in Managua prison.
The attorney general’s office and the defendant’s legal representative did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this week, the Attorney General’s Office accused the famous journalist Carlos Chamorro of money laundering. Luo made new accusations.
Ortega is a former Marxist guerrilla who was a cold war opponent of the United States and faces elections to be held in November.
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