Behind closed doors, the justice of the Ortega regime found six religious and one layman guilty, accused of the alleged crimes of conspiracy and propagation of false news, in a political trial that lasted from Monday, January 23, to Thursday, January 26, 2023. with marathon audiences of up to 12 hours. In this way, in less than fifteen days, the Ortega regime adds seven religious sentenced to prison; the first was the Priest Oscar Benavides, also from the Diocese of Matagalpa. Two other priests were convicted in 2022, and Matagalpa Bishop Rolando Álvarez remains under impeachment.
The Prosecutor’s Office requested ten years in prison for the priests and the laity -five for each crime- and 800 days fine for each one, equivalent to about 55,000 córdobas, confided a judicial source. The sentencing reading is scheduled for Friday, February 3 at 8:00 am
The parents convicted by the Ortega court are Ramiro Tijerino Chávez, general rector of the Juan Pablo II University; José Luis Díaz Cruz, vicar of the Cathedral of Matagalpa and his predecessor Sadiel Antonio Eugarrios Cano; Deacon Raúl Antonio Vega; seminarians Darvin Leiva Mendoza and Melkin Centeno, as well as photojournalist Sergio Cadena Flores.
Condemned priests quoted Bible verses
The priests and the photojournalist used the last word during the trial to rectify that they are innocent before the judicial Nadia Camila Tardencilla Rodríguez, in charge of the Second Criminal District Court of Managua, and one of the executioners of prisoners of conscience. At the same time, they quoted Bible verses.
Further details of this trial are unknown, which ended this Thursday a little after 5:00 pm under complete secrecy.
The first hearing was adjourned after 11:00 pm on Monday, January 23; the second day the day ended around 7:00 pm and this Wednesday he was suspended after midnight.
According to the digital system of the Judiciary, the Prosecutor’s Office listed 13 witnesses; six policemen and seven laymen to participate in the process against the priests and the photographer.
The six religious and the layman were kidnapped in August 2022 together with Monsignor Rolando Álvarez – also a political prisoner and under house arrest – in the episcopal building of Matagalpa for 15 days, besieged by the Police. The religious were transferred from Matagalpa to the Judicial Assistance Directorate (DAJ), El Chipote, on August 19, after the police assault on the Curia.
Due to the secrecy that prevailed in this case, it is not known what the alleged evidence offered by the Prosecutor’s Office was to prove the alleged facts. Days prior to the start of these trials, CONFIDENTIAL confirmed that the defenses did not have access to the judicial files in their entirety and had not been able to meet with their defendants, despite the fact that it is a constitutional right.
The ruling against the priests is added to that of Father Benavides, parish priest of Mulukukú, who was also found guilty of the same crimes by Ortega judge Nancy Aguirre Gudiel, on Monday, January 16. Before, the priest manuel garcia had been convicted of alleged physical violence and the father Leonardo Urbina for alleged sexual abuse and rape of a teenager.
Bishop Rolando Alvarez he is also being prosecuted for conspiracy and false news. On January 10, his case was sent to trial, but the scheduling date is unknown.
Cenidh to the Catholic hierarchy: “They cannot keep silent”
The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (Cenidh) denounced that the guilty verdict against the priests came from El Carmen – the office and home of the Ortega-Murillo couple – “with the desire to sow terror and show who has power.” The organization condemned the legal action, stating that it represents an violation of human rights and the guarantees of due process.
Through its Twitter account, Cenidh also urged the Catholic hierarchy to rule on the sentence against the priests. “LWe are asking you to react, you cannot keep silent, the regime has practically imprisoned an entire diocese”he pointed.
? After 4 days of judicial torture, the Ortega Murillo regime handed down a guilty verdict for the crimes of impairment and propagation of false news against priests, seminarians and laymen who accompanied Monsignor Rolando Álvarez in the episcopal curia of Matagalpa. pic.twitter.com/N0bLm9XyHK
— Cenidh (@cenidh) January 27, 2023
Who are the priests found guilty?
Priest José Luis Díaz: He is the first vicar of the Cathedral of Matagalpa and responsible for the Sanctuary of the Divine Child. He was ordained a priest on November 23, 2019 and is originally from the “Ocote Sur” community in Matagalpa.
Priest Sadiel Eugarrios: He is the second vicar of the Cathedral of San Pedro de Matagalpa. He is 35 years old and is originally from Matiguás, Matagalpa. During the 2018 Civic Rebellion, he joined other priests to demand an end to the repression at a roadblock in the northern city, he assured the media Nicaragua Investigates.
“We had to go defend the town and from then on the threats began. From there nothing is normal. You have to be very careful because you come across people who verbally assault you and then you live this priestly ministry in a different way”, said the priest.
Father Eugarrios was ordained on November 24, 2018 by Monsignor Álvarez, who described him as “a prophet in formation”, “a tireless charitable soul” and “a lover of freedom to the last consequences”.
Priest Ramiro Tijerino: He is the rector of the Juan Pablo II University and in charge of the San Juan Bautista parish. Since 2020 he is the new judge in the cause of canonization of Fray Odorico D’Andrea, whose pastoral work is remembered in the north of the country, mainly in San Rafael del Norte, Jinotega.
The priest fully supported Monsignor Álvarez when he took refuge in a church in Managua, in May 2022, due to the increase in police persecution against him. “My solidarity with him at all times,” the father said on that occasion to CONFIDENTIAL.
The religious, 50 years old and 20 of exercising the priesthood, is hypertensive and diabetic. He is also the nephew of the former Sandinista guerrilla, Doris Tijerino.
