Cuba Catholic Church says “door open” to future talks on prisoner amnesty
Havana, CubaReuters Cuba’s Catholic Church on Thursday said the “door was open” to future talks over the release of prisoners on the island following a meeting the previous day with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and top advisors. Communist-run Cuba has faced sharp criticism from rights groups, the United States and the European Union following the […]
Saudi Arabia unilaterally releases detainees to Yemen amid peace push
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesReuters Saudi Arabia on Monday released 104 detainees to Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross and a Saudi-led coalition said, in a unilateral move that follows simultaneous detainee exchanges between Yemen’s warring parties. The military coalition, which intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Iran-aligned Houthis ousted the government from […]
Russia’s Wagner releases over 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war for Orthodox Easter
Kyiv, Ukraine Reuters Russia’s most powerful mercenary group, Wagner, sent at least 100 Ukrainian prisoners of war back to Ukrainian forces to mark Orthodox Easter, according to a video posted by the group’s founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, on Sunday. “Prepare all of them, feed and water them, check the wounded,” Prigozhin was shown saying in a […]
Pope worried about Nicaraguan bishop sentenced to 26 years
Managua, NicaraguaAP Pope Francis on Sunday expressed sadness and worry at the news that Bishop Rolando Alvarez, an outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan Government, had been sentenced to 26 years in prison in the latest move against the Catholic Church and government opponents. Hours later in Nicaragua’s capital, Cardenal Leopoldo Brenes said someone had asked […]
Nicaraguan Catholic bishop sentenced to decades in prison, citizenship stripped
Managua, NIcaragua Reuters A Nicaraguan court sentenced Catholic Bishop Rolando Alvarez to more than 26 years in prison on Friday, a day after the cleric and critic of President Daniel Ortega declined to be expelled to the United States as part of a prisoner release. Alvarez, Bishop of the Matagalpa diocese, was convicted of treason, […]
Over 200 Nicaraguan prisoners, including top Ortega critics, freed and sent to US
Managua, NicaraguaReuters More than 200 political prisoners in Nicaragua were released and flown to the United States on Thursday, including five former presidential hopefuls and other leading critics of President Daniel Ortega, in what Washington described as a “constructive step” toward improving human rights. The mass release “opens the door to further dialogue between the […]
Sudan frees ex-officials in effort to end political impasse
Cairo, Egypt AP Sudanese authorities released two outspoken former government officials from jail, lawyers said Wednesday, part of trust-building measures amid efforts to end the country’s political impasse. Sudan has been plunged into turmoil since an October military coup upended its short-lived transition to democracy after three decades of repressive rule by former strongman Omar al-Bashir. Al-Bashir […]
Myanmar junta says 1,600 prisoners to be freed in holiday amnesty
Reuters Relatives of hundreds of prisoners gathered outside Myanmar’s Insein Prison on Sunday after the military government announced the release of 1,600 prisoners in an amnesty to mark the South-East Asian nation’s new year. The number of prisoners released in the annual amnesty was a fraction of last year’s 23,000. It was unclear whether it […]
Chad frees rebels ahead of national peace-building talks
Klessoum Prison, ChadReuters Chad’s transitional authorities on Tuesday released the first of some 250 members of armed groups it has promised to free from prison under an amnesty aimed at fostering dialogue after the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby last April. Justice Minister Ahmat Mahamat Alhabo led a short ceremony at Klessoum prison near […]
Myanmar frees hundreds of political prisoners after ASEAN pressure
Reuters Myanmar’s military government has freed hundreds of political prisoners from the notorious Insein prison, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s party spokesman and a famous comedian Zarganar, local media reported. Minutes after military ruler Min Aung Hlaing’s speech on Monday, state television announced more than 5,600 people arrested or wanted over their roles in anti-coup […]