Nicarguan police target political opponents with tear gas for attempted protest

Ortega has opened a tentative dialogue process with the opposition in recent weeks in an effort to bring an end to a broad movement against his iron-fisted rule that began last year.

But the issue of political prisoners remains a strain on the talks.

Police said that they had arrested 107 people at the would-be demonstration, and that they would be released.

An AFP journalist at the scene said the police deployed tear gas and bullets against protesters, and seized the equipment of journalists covering the scene.

Earlier, opposition members reported that at least 30 people were arrested for trying to take part in Saturday's demonstration, which ultimately did not take place.

Family members said that among the arrested were ex-rebel Monica Baltodano and her sister Sofia Arce.

Two opposition negotiators also were believed to be among those arrested.

More than 700 people were detained during a deadly crackdown on rallies that began last April that began over controversial pension reform but grew into a mass movement against Ortega.

The crackdown left at least 325 people dead between April and October, while thousands of Nicaraguans fled the unrest.

The opposition accuses Ortega, a 73-year-old former Sandinista rebel leader, of running a corrupt, cruel and incompetent leftist dictatorship in the poor Central American country.