Published on: 5 March 2024
DOHI Staff
Bishop Rolando Álvarez Lagos from Nicaragua was released from prison on January 14. He was sent into exile with 18 other Roman Catholic leaders.
Previously, he had served as Bishop of Matagalpa from 2011 until his arrest in 2022.
The anti-government protests of 2018 saw hundreds of priests, activists, students, and political leaders imprisoned. The violent response of President Ortega’s security forces resulted in tens of thousands of Nicaraguans fleeing into exile.
An outspoken critic of the Nicaraguan government, especially vocal against President Ortega’s suppression of civil and religious liberties, Bishop Álvarez was placed under house arrest in 2022. After 6 months of detainment, Álvarez turned down the opportunity to join a group of 222 prisoners of conscience released into U.S. custody. The deal was brokered by the U.S. government.
In a statement, President Ortega announced that Álvarez had refused to board the flight to the United States. Because of his refusal, Álvarez’ Nicaraguan citizenship was immediately revoked. Denied a trial, he was arbitrarily sentenced to 26 years in prison.
Bishop Álvarez is currently imprisoned in the La Modelo Tipitapa Prison. According to the United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the priest’s prison cell was “inadequate in hygiene and sanitation, with no natural light, and he is not allowed outside – conditions that violate international human rights norms and standards.”
TIMELINE
May 2022: Announced he was beginning a hunger strike to protest police brutality.
August 4, 2022: Prevented by police from leaving his house to celebrate mass, thus placing him under house arrest.
December 13, 2022: Charged with conspiracy “for undermining national integrity and propagation of false news through information and communication technologies to the detriment of the State and Nicaraguan society.” He was ordered to remain under house arrest.
February 9, 2023: Álvarez is not part of the 222 political prisoners released into U.S. custody by the Nicaraguan government.
February 10, 2023: Scheduled to stand trial on February 16, however, government officials changed plans and declared Álvarez a traitor. He was stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship and civil rights for life and sentenced to 26 years in prison.
January 14: Released from prison and sent into exile with 18 other Roman Catholic leaders.
