2013 Demonstrations at the Judicial Complex in Juigalpa for release of detained protestors

In late February 2013, over a series of days there were protests by 1,000 to 3,000 people outside the Judicial Complex in Juigalpa, to demand the release of individuals arrested in relation to a violent police operation on 9 February 2013 against a protest encampment against La Libertad Mine in Santo Domingo. The relatives and community members of Santo Domingo maintained protests outside the judicial complex pending the outcome of judicial hearings against the accused, the majority of whom were released. However, twelve leaders of the opposition to the La Libertad mine were transferred to prison in Managua and only released in April 2013. See Legal Action entitled, "2013 Criminalization of Protests and Mining Opposition Movements".