Dom Rolando Álvarez spends his first birthday in Nicaraguan prison

The Nicaraguan bishop Rolando Álvarezsentenced last February to more than 26 years for treason after refusing to leave Nicaraguacompletes 57 years this Monday, the first arrested and the second deprived of liberty, denounced various sectors, demanding his immediate release.

On the occasion of his birthday he was awarded the “Charisma” award from the Spanish Conference of Religious, informed the auxiliary bishop of Managua, Silvio Báezvery critical of the government he presides over Daniel Ortegathrough a video posted on his account on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

LOOK HERE: Nicaragua: Ortega government frees Dom Rolando Álvarez, sentenced to 26 years

Báez, who Pope Francis ordered to leave Nicaragua In 2019, for security reasons, he received the award in the name of Dom Álvarez, who said he was a “honor and privilege”.

In his speech, the religious man indicated that Álvarez “He is unjustly imprisoned, sentenced to more than 26 years in prison, simply for proclaiming justice and truth in the name of the Gospel, for defending people’s rights and dignity, for walking alongside the poorest.”.

Bishop: Nicaragua is a big prison

“The situation that Monsignor Rolando is experiencing is an icon of what our country is experiencing. The brutal regime that dominated Nicaragua for a few years as a fierce dictatorship turned the nation into a great prison” he pointed out.

In Báez’s opinion, Álvarez “It is an icon of what the whole city lives for” and in turn, with “Your continued testimony of Jesus Christ is a beacon of light and hope for us.”.

The auxiliary bishop of Managua He asked to keep Nicaragua and Bishop Álvarez.”in prayer for their unconditional and immediate release and for a future of peace, justice and freedom for our people”.

Monsignor Álvarez, bishop of the diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelíboth in northern Nicaragua, was sentenced last February to 26 years and 4 months in prison for crimes considered treason.

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The senior leader played a prominent role in the mediation carried out by the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua during the failed dialogue process following the massive protests that took place in April 2018.

Later, in August 2022, he was detained by the National Police, who sent him to his home, accused of “conspiracy to undermine national integrity and propagation of fake news”.

On February 9, 2023, it was sent to National Penitentiary Systemthe maximum security prison in Nicaragua known as “The model“, after refusing to board the plane that would take him, along with 222 other released Nicaraguan political prisoners, to U.S.

Ortega called him “unbalanced” and “energetic”

The bishop’s refusal provoked the indignation of Ortega, who described him as “superb“,”disturbed” It is “crazy”.

A day later, he was sentenced to more than 26 years in prison, deprived of his nationality and suspended his citizenship rights for the rest of his life.

Álvarez is the first bishop arrested, accused and convicted since Ortega returned to power in Nicaragua in 2007, after coordinating a Government Board from 1979 to 1985, and presiding over Nicaragua for the first time from 1985 to 1990.

Several opposition organizations, such as University Alliance of Nicaragualaunched campaigns through X to demand the leader’s immediate release.

SEE TOO: The human rights crisis in Nicaragua “continues to deepen”, denounces the IACHR

Relations between the Ortega Government and the Catholic Church are experiencing moments of great tension, marked by the expulsion and arrest of priests, the ban on religious activities and the suspension of diplomatic relations.

Ortega described it as a “mafia” to the Church. Meanwhile, Pope Francis described it as a “rude dictatorship” to the Sandinista leader.

“With great respect, I have no choice but to think about an imbalance in who is driving (Ortega). There we have a bishop arrested, a very serious, very capable man. He wanted to give his testimony and did not accept exile“Francisco told the Infobae portal in an interview on March 10th.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.