Daily Times

Nicaragua on Friday released 50 prisoners held for taking part in anti-government protests, authorities said, giving a fresh impetus to peace talks on ending the country’s long running political crisis.

More than 700 people were detained during a deadly crackdown on rallies that began last April and quickly grew into broad opposition to President Daniel Ortega iron-fisted rule.

The crackdown left at least 325 people dead between April and October, while thousands of Nicaraguans fled the unrest.

The interior ministry said in a statement that the prisoners had been released on house arrest. A list of those released did not contain any key opposition figures.

The detainees were driven away from La Modelo maximum security prison, near Managua, out of the sight of waiting relatives.

The opposition alliance, which is demanding Ortega hold early elections, had made a return to stalled peace talks with Ortega’s leftist government on the condition that prisoners were released.

The government returned to negotiations after several months, facing increasing international pressure and an economic crisis.

Around 100 prisoners were been freed on February 27 at the start of the fresh talks.

But the negotiations were suspended for several days over opposition demands for further releases. They resumed on Thursday after the government offered fresh assurances.

Opposition delegate Azahalea Solis branded the releases “insufficient,” and refused to attend talks until all political prisoners were free.