Nicaragua NGO closes offices amid unrest, denounces threats

A Nicaraguan rights group that has documented killings during months of political unrest says it is closing its offices due to threats and harassment.

The Nicaraguan Pro-Human Rights Association says in a statement that its facilities have been besieged by “unauthorized armed groups and threatening phone calls.”

It also complains of “illegal practices of judicial persecution and criminalization without legal basis” against its personnel. It does not directly identify those it believes are responsible.

The group says government security forces and armed, allied civilian groups are responsible for most of the deaths since April 19. President Daniel Ortega has denied responsibility and accuses those demanding he leave office of attempting a coup.

The rights association said late Saturday that for now it will be attending to complaints online only.