Nicaragua: Police detain bishop for ‘hate speech’ after criticizing Daniel Ortega’s government

The Nicaraguan police accused Diocese of Matagalpawho governs Bishop Rolando Alvarezbesieged in the curia by security forces since last Thursday for “inciting hatred” to destabilize the country and announced the opening of an investigation into what he considered “criminal acts”.

“The top leadership of the Catholic Church, Diocese of Matagalpaled by Bishop Monsignor Jose Rolando Alvarez(…) are trying to organize violent groups and incite them to commit acts of hatred against the government,” the police said in a statement.

Alvarez, government critic Daniel Ortegasaid on Friday that the police were besieging the episcopal curia Matagalpawhere he lives, in the north of the city. Nicaragua.

“The lane in front of our curia is closed and blocked National Police. The front door, as well as the exit from the garage, are also blocked by riot police,” said the saint from the curia during a mass broadcast on Facebook.

police officerfor its part, stated that they are using “their status as religious leaders” and “the media and social media” to create “anxiety”.

They cause “an atmosphere of unrest and disorder, violate peace and harmony in society in order to destabilize the state of society.” Nicaragua and attack the constitutional authority,” he said.

The police announced that they had launched a “process of investigation to determine the criminal responsibility of those involved in these criminal acts” and that they had reported the facts to public service (Prosecution) and Power of attorney.

Alvarez, member Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua (CEN)He said that he was staying in the curia along with six priests and six laity.

“Sin of Forest Spirituality”

The investigation against him was announced hours after the vice president and wife OrtegaRosario Murillo hinted that criticizing the bishop could be considered a “crime”.

He warned that this “spawns the discrediting of those institutions that deserve respect (and this) is also a crime, it is a sin against spirituality.”

The Bishop has not yet responded to the allegations, but on the air facebook He thanked the Archdiocese of Managua under the presidency of Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, other priests and the Latin American Episcopal Council (Celam) for their solidarity.

Nicaraguan priests have been heavily criticized by the government since the 2018 opposition protests for providing shelter to protesters who were injured or were fleeing a crackdown on demonstrations.

According to Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)repression claimed the lives of 355 people. About 190 opponents are in prison on charges of “undermining national integrity” and other crimes.

Ortega saw the protests as part of a failed coup promoted by the opposition, backed by Washingtonin which, according to him, the bishops were involved.

AFP