Nicaragua's government confirmed Sunday that it had released two Catholic bishops and 17 other imprisoned clerics following negotiations with Vatican authorities, the Associated Press reported.
Bishop Rolando Álvarez and other clergy were imprisoned more than a year ago as part of President Daniel Ortega's crackdown on and opposition to the Catholic Church. Mr. Ortega accused the group of supporting civil protests in 2018 and claimed it was part of a conspiracy to overthrow the leader.
The government announced the release of Alvarez and other clerics on Sunday, saying negotiations with the Vatican were focused on “enabling their visit to the Vatican,” the newswire reported.
Alvarez was one of several priests. People arrested in 2022 After opposing the government's closure of several Catholic radio stations and criticizing the government's human rights record.
After refusing asylum in the United States last year, Alvarez was sentenced to 26 years in prison for undermining the government, spreading false information, obstruction and insubordination, according to the Associated Press. He was also stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship.
The group also included Bishop Isidro Mora. Who was arrested last month? for saying he was praying for Alvarez at Mass. According to ReutersWith 15 priests and 2 seminarians, wall street journal report.
The United States has called out Nicaraguan officials for participating in restrictions on the human rights of Nicaraguans. Last August, the United States imposed visa restrictions on 100 local government employees in Nicaragua to “promote accountability” for Ortega's government. In a State Department announcement last year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the administration to immediately release Alvarez and others who have been wrongly detained.
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