Nicaragua OKs criticized amnesty for crimes during protests
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Lawmakers allied to Nicaragua's president have approved an amnesty bill for crimes related to last year's anti-government protests, over staunch criticism from the opposition.
Critics say it would forgive abuses committed by police and pro-government civilian militias during a deadly crackdown on demonstrators who were demanding Daniel Ortega leave office.
The ruling Sandinista bloc said the law passed Saturday seeks "reconciliation" and a "stable and lasting peace." Ortega's allies consider the student-led protests a "failed coup d'etat."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Azahálea Solís of the Civic Alliance opposition group said the amnesty "attempts to disguise impunity for those who ordered, directed or participated in murders of citizens."
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says the crackdown resulted in 325 people dead, over 2,000 wounded, 770 jailed and 60,000 who fled the country.