MEXICO CITY — A judge in Nicaragua convicted Cristiana Chamorro, a journalist, potential presidential contender and daughter of former President Violeta Chamorro, of money laundering and other crimes Friday.
The news site Confidencial, run by Cristiana Chamorro’s brother Carlos Fernando Chamorro, reported late Friday that she, two members of her mother’s foundation, a driver, as well as a former lawmaker and other Chamorro sibling Pedro Joaquín Chamorro were all convicted Friday at the conclusion of a seven-day trial.
Cristiana Chamorro has been under house arrest since June, one of several dozen opposition figures arrested by President Daniel Ortega’s government ahead of the November elections. With Chamorro and other high-profile potential challengers out of the way, Ortega walked to easy victory for a fourth consecutive term.
Carlos Fernando Chamorro said via Twitter that Ortega’s justice system had found them all guilty. He faced similar charges but had moved into exile.
