The opposition Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy demanded the freedom of 12 religious imprisoned by the justice system of the Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo regime.
The opposition bloc’s demand comes after Tuesday, December 13, the Prosecutor’s Office accused Monsignor Rolando Álvarez for the alleged crimes of undermining national integrity and spreading false news, subjecting him to home prison.
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“The holy people of God suffer the absence of their shepherds. We long for your warm presence and your prophetic voice. Pastors must be with their parishioners,” said the Civic Alliance.
In reference to the Christmas holidays, the group of opponents affirms that they will not be able to “have a happy Christmas, while they are suffering this injustice”, by the Ortega and Murillo dictatorship.
“Monsignor Álvarez has shown that he is here to defend the common good”
Referring to the accusation against Monsignor Álvarez, the coordinator of the Executive Council of the Civic Alliance, Daisy George West, told Article 66 that “the” Ortega regime does not have the power it wants to demonstrate to the world.
«The only power that the Ortega dictatorship has is repression (…) while Monsignor Rolando Álvarez has no power of arms, what he does have is the power of the word —of God—, the power of truth and the power to make people see to the dictator who is violating all the rights of citizens,” said the opposition member.
He added that the injustice promoted by the Nicaraguan regime “will not have a happy ending, that is why they want to stain Monsignor Álvarez, but the people are already tired of the lies and all the fabrications that the regime is trying to establish in the conscience of the Nicaraguans.
«The dictatorship wants to destroy the Church because the true face of power is held by the Church and it does not have it because of an Army, but because it preaches the truth. Daniel Ortega is never going to take away the power that Monsignor Álvarez has, because he has shown the world that he is here to defend the common good and to be able to raise his voice so that the people have relief, “he remarked.
Monsignor Álvarez joins the list of 12 priests accused by the Ortega court
With the recent accusation for “undermining national integrity and false news” against Monsignor Rolando Alvarezthere are already 12 religious who the Daniel Ortega regime has deprived of their freedom in this 2022.
The first to be kidnapped, accused and sentenced by the Ortega justice system were father Manuel Salvador Garciaparish priest of the Jesús de Nazareno Church, in Nandaime, Granada, allegedly convicted of assaulting a woman and threatening supporters of the Nicaraguan dictatorship.
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The second to be tried was Monsignor Leonardo Urbinaparish priest of the Church of Perpetuo Socorro, in Boaco, sentenced to 30 years in prison for the alleged crime of raping a minor under 14 years of age and minor psychological injuries to the detriment of the 12-year-old victim of the initials MJVS.
The dictatorship continued its onslaught against religious and on August 14 kidnapped Father Óscar Benavidez, parish priest of the Espíritu Santo Church, in Mulukukú in the Diocese of Suina. He was apprehended after leaving the Concepción de María chapel, where he officiated his homily based on the persecution and harassment of the prophets. He was taken to the cells of the Directorate of Judicial Assistance (DAJ), known as “El Chipote” where he has remained since that date.
The Ortega regime also accused the priests and seminarians who accompanied the Bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, for 16 days —from August 4 to 19— of conspiring to undermine national integrity and spreading false news.
The defendants are the first and second vicar of the Cathedral of San Pedro, in Matagalpa, Jose Luis Diaz Y Sadiel Eugarrios, respectively; as well as the priests Ramiro Tijerino—Rector of the John Paul II University—and Father Raul Vega Gonzalez. Seminarians face the same charges Darvin Leiva Y Melkin Rye Sequeiralike the cameraman Sergio Cardenas.
Related news: Bishop Álvarez was taken from the house of his relatives and taken to another one administered by the regime
Another of the priests to be imprisoned was Father Enrique Martinez Gamboa, parish priest of the Santa Martha Church, of the Archdiocese of Managua. He was kidnapped on the afternoon of October 13, days later he was charged with conspiracy to undermine national integrity and propagation of false news. With this arrest there are already nine priests, two seminarians and a layman in prison.
On the eve of these Christmas and year-end dates, the relatives of the more than 230 political prisoners and human rights defenders continue to demand their freedom, however, the dictator Daniel Ortega continues with his wave of repression.
