Nicaraguan opposition leaders sentenced to 200 years over protests

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Two opposition leaders in Nicaragua were handed sentences of more than 200 years on Monday for participating in violent protests in 2018 against President Daniel Ortega that left 325 people dead, their lawyer said.

Medardo Mairena was sentenced to 216 years in prison for "terrorism" and six other offences related to his participation in the protests that caused the death of four police officers and a civilian, said lawyer Julio Montenegro.

Pedro Mena was given 210 years for terrorism and other offences.

Medardo Mairena speaks during the first round of dialogue after a series of violent protests against the government in Managua, Nicaragua, May 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

Montenegro described the sentences as "unprecedented" and "overly exaggerated."

The two opposition leaders will serve only 30 years in prison, though, as that is the maximum allowed in Nicaraguan law.

Mairena is one of the leaders of the Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy, an opposition group that was formed in May to try to find a solution to the country's political crisis through dialogue with the government.

Protests had begun in April and escalated quickly as they faced a brutal government crackdown.

A woman takes part in a vigil to commemorate 100 days of protests against the government of Nicaragua's president Daniel Ortega in front of a mural in Managua, Nicaragua, July 26, 2018. /VCG Photo

The talks broke down in June as Ortega refused the opposition's main demands to step down and bring forward presidential elections.

Protests lasted until October and as well as the many dead, more than 750 people were arrested and accused of terrorism.

The Nicaraguan opposition accuses former guerrilla leader Ortega, in power since 2007, of establishing a corrupt dictatorship with his wife and vice president Rosario Murillo.

Source(s): AFP