The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) described as a “legal aberration” that Ortega’s justice has disqualified for life the seven religious of the Diocese of Matagalpa from holding public office and popular election.
«From Cenidh we condemn these perverse actions of the regime that violate human rights. We demand immediate release for them and all political prisoners,” the organization denounced through its Twitter account.
Related news: Nicaraguan regime sentences Matagalpa religious to 10 years in prison
For his part, a human rights defender revealed Article 66 that “perpetual disqualification from holding public office” has been applied not only to these cases, but also to all those accused.
“To political prisoners with a final sentence, they are trying to apply the same, even to those who are not of the same criminal type,” the source explained; He also indicated that this action by the Ortega regime is arbitrary, “because they can deprive them of their rights while they are in prison, but not beyond that.”
“The penalty contemplates disqualification from holding public office for the same period, but the perpetual disqualification of citizen rights is non-existent and unconstitutional,” he stressed.
The reactions of the human rights defenders arise after in the afternoon of this Monday, February 6, the Ortega judge of the Second Criminal District Court of Managua, Nadia Camila Tardencilla He sentenced five years in prison for the crime of conspiracy to undermine national integrity and five for spreading false news, plus an 800-day fine for six religious and a layman from the Diocese of Matagalpa, all from the circle close to Monsignor Rolando Álvarez. .
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Those prosecuted by the Ortega dictatorship are the priests Ramiro Tijerino, José Luis Díaz and Sadiel Eugarrios; the deacon Raul Antonio Vega; the seminarians Melkin Rye and Darvin Leiva; and the cameraman Sergio Cardenas.
sources informed Article 66 that the sentence will be appealed. “It was a baseless and baseless process. The witnesses, both civilians and the Police, did not undermine the principle of innocence, since they were contradictory, “he said.
Despite the onslaught of the Nicaraguan dictatorship against them, a source pointed out that the religious show “unwavering strength and faith” throughout the judicial process.
“They are unique, the Holy Spirit has covered them with a great enviable strength, they look strong and with courage”, detailed the informant, who also regretted that “one there was a lack of justice.
The Nicaraguan dictatorship has been merciless against the Catholic Church whom it has branded as “diabolical” and “traitors.” Little by little, Ortega has been adding to the list of imprisoned priests, who are part of the list of more than 230 political hostages held captive in the different jails of the country, accused and convicted of common crimes or alleged treason against the country, a pretext of Ortega —according to opponents— to continue repressing Nicaraguans who contradict his authoritarian policy.
