The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) submitted to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IDH-Court) the case of “torture and death in prison” of the Nicaraguan citizen Santos Sebastián Flores Castillo, who was imprisoned, subjected to humiliation and torture until appear lifeless in the La Modelo penitentiary, after denouncing that the dictator Daniel Ortega sexually abused and impregnated his sister, when she was 15 years old.
The IACHR reported this week that it presented to the Inter-American Court the Case 14,679referring to the imprisonment, subjection to acts of torture and death in prison of Flores Castillo, and for which the State of Nicaragua is responsible.
«I am pleased to address you, on behalf of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), with the aim of submitting Case No. 14,679 – Santos Sebastián Flores Castillo to the jurisdiction of the Honorable Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the Republic of Nicaragua (hereinafter “the State”, “the Nicaraguan State” or “Nicaragua”). The case refers to the international responsibility of the Republic of Nicaragua for the subjection to acts of torture of Santos Sebastián Flores Castillo, as well as for his death while he was deprived of liberty,” says the IACHR referral document, signed by the secretary. Deputy of the organization, Jorge Meza Flores.
Lawyer denounced that Ortega impregnated his sister, a minor
In the presentation of the case, the IACHR reports that Flores Castillo was a Nicaraguan lawyer and notary public who, on behalf of his family, reported to non-governmental organizations such as the Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights (CENIDH) and the Permanent Commission on Human Rights (CPDH). ), as well as to the President’s office, that in 2005, two years before Daniel Ortega returned to power, the current Sandinista dictator would have started “a relationship” with his 15-year-old sister, with whom he would even have a daughter. .
After the complaint, the girl’s family began to suffer persecution, in particular Mr. Flores Castillo, who led the complaint. Reprisals against whistleblowers increased until in 2013, when Ortega began his second period in power, lawyer Flores Castillo was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to his family, for crimes he never committed.
He was confined to the cells of the Jorge Navarro penitentiary center, also known as La Modelo, in Tipitapa, department of Managua, where, according to the prisoner himself and his mother who visited him, he suffered torture and inhumane conditions.
The complaints indicate that the lawyer suffered torture by State officials in the prison, and the complaints even claim that was sexually abused by other prisoners, without being helped by prison guards.
“On November 8, 2021, he died in prison from an alleged heart attack, although his family alleged that he had injuries, signs of torture and malnutrition, which is why they questioned the official version of his death,” says the case referral.
Related news: Santos Flores, who accused Daniel Ortega of raping his 15-year-old sister, dies in Tipitapa prison
Likewise, the IACHR informs the Inter-American Court that, as stated in report 106/23, the process of documenting the “prolonged isolation and inhumane conditions of imprisonment suffered by the victim, such as the lack of adequate food, drinking water and care “medical.”
Likewise, they point out that the Commission verified “the repeated complaints of physical and psychological torture inflicted by state agents, as well as the deprivation of water and food, physical abuse, chaining and sexual abuse by other inmates.”
The relatives of the lawyer who died in La Modelo indicated at the time that their relative’s body had marks and wounds. A clear autopsy was never performed, and all of this led the Commission to conclude that “the elements of torture were established.”
Related news: The three political prisoners who died in the Ortega prisons
«The Commission found that, despite the serious complaints and the information provided, the State did not initiate an investigation into the allegations of torture and ill-treatment. Furthermore, it considered the suffering and anguish that was caused to the victim’s family members,” the IACHR notes.
“Because of the above, the IACHR concluded that the State of Nicaragua is responsible for the violation of the rights to life, personal integrity, protection of honor and dignity, protection of the family, judicial guarantees and judicial protection established in articles 4, 5, 11, 17, 8 and 25 of the American Convention, in relation to article 1.1 of the same instrument and articles 1, 6 and 8 of the Inter-American Convention to Prevent and “Sanction Torture to the detriment of Santos Sebastián Flores Castillo and his family members,” the agency says.
For this reason, the defending Court, after referring the case to the Inter-American Court, recommends that the State of Nicaragua “repair the human rights violations through economic compensation and satisfaction measures for material and immaterial aspects.”
And, among other aspects, it also recommends “carrying out an exhaustive and effective investigation, that complies with international due diligence standards, to pursue and punish those responsible.”
Until now, Ortega has never complied with any recommendation or order from the OAS, the IACHR or the Inter-American Court. The Nicaraguan dictator has even ignored all the protection measures that the IACHR has granted in favor of victims of the Managua regime.
