A leader of Nicaragua's opposition alliance says members hope for approval Friday of a schedule for freeing 640 people considered political prisoners.
Azahalea Solis is a Civic Alliance leader and negotiator in talks with the government aimed at resolving a political standoff. She tells The Associated Press that 162 others released from prison and placed under house arrest since February would be granted more definitive freedom under a proposed deal.
Solis adds that efforts are being made for the latest releases to begin this weekend or Monday. She confirms that all 802 people detained since protests erupted last April would also see their charges and trials annulled.
Nicaragua's President Daniel Ortega drives his Mercedes Benz SUV to the inauguration ceremony of a highway overpass in Managua, Nicaragua, Thursday, March 21, 2019. Ortega's government and opposition began negotiating Thursday how to carry out the release of hundreds of political prisoners arrested in the past year of unrest, after the government announced Wednesday it would free the prisoners within 90 days in exchange for the lifting of external sanctions. (AP PhotoAlfredo Zuniga)
President Daniel Ortega's government has characterized opposition protesters as "terrorists" and "coup-plotters."
But this week authorities agreed to release prisoners within 90 days.