Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, celebrates this September 23 50 days of kidnapping by order of the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. So far, it is only known that he was transferred to Managua and that he is under house arrest.
On August 4, the Ortega police prevented the prelate from leaving, who was in the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa, along with priests, two seminarians and a layman. On the 19th of the same month, riot police raided the compound, leaving the chief under house arrest and his companions detained them in the Judicial Assistance Directorate (DAJ), known as “El Nuevo Chipote” in Managua.
Related news: Cenidh demands that the physical integrity of Monsignor Álvarez be respected after 46 days of “kidnapping”
Given the uncertainty about the legal situation of the prelate, the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) demanded respect for his physical integrity and his immediate freedom.
«—The Ortega Murillo regime continues without reporting on his physical and psychological state. We demand their immediate freedom and that of all political prisoners. #FreedomForMonseñorÁlvarez #NoMorePersecutionToTheChurch», demanded the human rights organization through its Twitter account.
The Ortega regime has indicated that the arbitrary detention of Álvarez was to “recover normality for the citizens and families of Matagalpa.”
Where is Monsignor Álvarez being held?
Although it is not officially known where Monsignor Álvarez is, a source revealed to Article 66 that the priest is at the home of some relatives, near the Cargill company, on the road to Masaya.
Related news: Father Edwing Román after 28 days of kidnapping Monsignor Álvarez: “Where and how is he?”
«The house is located about 100 meters from the Cargill company, in the Los Madrigales region, it is a narrow road. There is a limit, it is the only elegant and large house in that area, there are three or four riot police, who are relieved at six in the afternoon. Every day a patrol full of policemen and cars with dark windows leaves,” added the informant.
Given the violation of the human rights of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, the European Parliament approved on September 15 a resolution with 538 votes in favor, 16 against and 28 abstentions in which they urge the dictator Ortega release the prelate and the priests arrested during the attacks on the Church.
After the social protests of 2018, the Ortega dictatorship has attacked the Catholic Church of Nicaragua, calling it a “coup” and “terrorist.” In this 2022, the religious institution has experienced the greatest repression that it would have experienced in the country.
Even the regime keeps nine priests behind bars, two of them —Monsignor Leonardo Urbina de Boaco and Father Manuel Salvador García— convicted of common crimes, has also impeded freedom of worship.
