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Nicaragua security forces launch deadly raids | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Nicaraguan government security forces have launched raids to clear protesters' barricades in towns in the south-east of the country, leaving at least 10 dead. | |
Human rights organisations say at least six civilians were killed along with four members of the security forces. | |
The operation targeted the city of Masaya and several smaller communities and neighbourhoods in the area. | The operation targeted the city of Masaya and several smaller communities and neighbourhoods in the area. |
The EU, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador criticised the government's actions. | The EU, Colombia, Chile and Ecuador criticised the government's actions. |
Álvaro Leiva, the head of Nicaraguan Association For Human Rights (ANPDH), said at least 22 vehicles carrying government security forces had arrived in the area. | |
Labelled "Operation Clean-up" by the government, it concentrated on the city of Masaya, nearby Niquinohomo and Catarina villages and the neighbourhood of Monimbo. | Labelled "Operation Clean-up" by the government, it concentrated on the city of Masaya, nearby Niquinohomo and Catarina villages and the neighbourhood of Monimbo. |
Mr Leiva warned people in the city of Masaya to stay indoors, saying "there are sharpshooters stationed at different places around the city". | Mr Leiva warned people in the city of Masaya to stay indoors, saying "there are sharpshooters stationed at different places around the city". |
Earlier he said police had not been allowing the wounded to reach hospitals in the area. | Earlier he said police had not been allowing the wounded to reach hospitals in the area. |
One resident in Masaya told the French news agency AFP: "We are being attacked by the national police and paramilitaries armed with AK-47s." | One resident in Masaya told the French news agency AFP: "We are being attacked by the national police and paramilitaries armed with AK-47s." |
The latest government action came a day after dozens of students in the capital Managua were besieged by pro-government forces for hours in a parish church next to the National Autonomous University of Managua (UNAN) before finally being allowed to leave after the intervention of Catholic Bishops. | The latest government action came a day after dozens of students in the capital Managua were besieged by pro-government forces for hours in a parish church next to the National Autonomous University of Managua (UNAN) before finally being allowed to leave after the intervention of Catholic Bishops. |
Two students died in the action and many said they felt the security forces had been shooting to kill. | Two students died in the action and many said they felt the security forces had been shooting to kill. |
The UNAN was the last bastion of student resistance in the capital after months of nationwide anti-government protests in which over 300 people have been killed. | The UNAN was the last bastion of student resistance in the capital after months of nationwide anti-government protests in which over 300 people have been killed. |
Bishop's car attacked | Bishop's car attacked |
Also on Sunday, there were reports of attacks on members of the National Dialogue conference trying to resolve the differences between the government and the opposition. | Also on Sunday, there were reports of attacks on members of the National Dialogue conference trying to resolve the differences between the government and the opposition. |
Paramilitaries attacked the car of Abelardo Mata, the Roman Catholic bishop of Esteli, breaking windscreens and windows and damaging the tyres. | Paramilitaries attacked the car of Abelardo Mata, the Roman Catholic bishop of Esteli, breaking windscreens and windows and damaging the tyres. |
The bishop was held for a time in a house and then transferred to Managua by the police. | The bishop was held for a time in a house and then transferred to Managua by the police. |
He is one of the mediators for the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference overseeing talks between the government and protesters. | He is one of the mediators for the Nicaraguan Episcopal Conference overseeing talks between the government and protesters. |
In Managua a peasant leader, Medardo Mairena, who was arrested last week, and is also a member of the National Dialogue conference, appeared before a judge in a closed court accused of terrorism. | |
A police statement said he was "responsible for the massacre and murder of four policemen and a primary school teacher as a result of his terrorist actions". | A police statement said he was "responsible for the massacre and murder of four policemen and a primary school teacher as a result of his terrorist actions". |
Mr Mairena's brother was shot in the chest on Friday by snipers as he led a protest to highlight his arrest. | Mr Mairena's brother was shot in the chest on Friday by snipers as he led a protest to highlight his arrest. |
The Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, the EU and Peru, Chile, Colombia, Spain and Argentina have all published statements rejecting the actions of the Nicaraguan government over the past few days. |