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Nicaragua police arrest 20, use stun grenades to end anti-govt demo
MANAGUA, Oct 15, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Some 20 protesters were arrested Sunday
when Nicaraguan police swooped in to break up a meeting of demonstrators
gathering for a march against the government of President Daniel Ortega.
Police wielded clubs and hurled stun grenades to break up the
demonstrators gathering at a shopping mall parking lot, beating men, women
and even some elderly people.
Those arrested were dragged down the street to be later loaded onto police
patrol vehicles.
Some reporters were also beaten and briefly detained, local independent
reporters said.
“They respect no one, not even older people or children,” said Azhalea
Solis, head of the Civic Alliance, an umbrella group that represents business
people, students and social groups.
And there was outrage from the Organization of American States and the
president of neighboring Costa Rica.
“We demand the government of #Nicaragua release the protesters who have
been detained, that it respect the right to peaceful protest nationwide, and
stop repression and all intimidation of political leaders and civilians,” OAS
chief Luis Almagro wrote on Twitter.
“Deeply concerned by this morning’s arrests in Nicaragua. The repression
the Nicaraguan people are being put through must stop,” Costa Rican President
Carlos Alvarado tweeted.
Police had earlier announced that they would not allow any unauthorized
demonstrations.
Hundreds of anti-riot police officers were deployed early in the day to
key points of the capital Managua as well as to the highway to the restive
city of Masaya.
Government supporters took over city roundabouts where protesters had
planned to gather.
Anti-government demonstrations began on April 18, initially protesting
changes in the social security system.
Since then the demonstrations have grown in size and the protestors are
calling for the resignation of Ortega and his wife and vice president Rosario
Murillo.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0850 hrs