This November 4, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez celebrates three months of “kidnapping and solitary confinement.” The bishop of Matagalpa was abducted by police officers from the Episcopal Curia of Matagalpa, early on the morning of August 19. The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) demands to know the physical and psychological state of the religious leader.
«Monsignor Rolando Alvarez He has been kidnapped for three months today, his physical and psychological condition is unknown, we demand immediate freedom for him, all political prisoner priests and all political prisoners,” the Cenidh expressed through its social networks where they have constantly demanded that the regime shows the prelate, who also serves as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí.
Related news: “They want us to forget it, but they will not succeed,” says Monsignor Báez about the kidnapping of Bishop Rolando Álvarez
The defense organization recently denounced that “the lack of information about the physical and psychological conditions of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez has generated numerous versions about his whereabouts. By hiding him they have him kidnapped, he is missing. We demand that the regime show it.”
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.
«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.
Related news: Cenidh calls on the Catholic Church to demand the freedom of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez
This media outlet confirmed that several vans from the police institution patrol the area daily and the house where the Bishop of Matagalpa is supposedly located is “protected” by riot police.
Monsignor Rolando Álvarez is the only one of 12 imprisoned religious who remains in his home under police custody, but with the same restrictions and surveillance at all times. In addition, an accusation against the cardinal has not been officially presented either. The other eleven religious were accused, among other crimes, of conspiring to undermine national integrity.
