Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/20/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Alester Sáenz

Extra Bio Info:

Alester Sáenz was detained for his religious leadership role.

On December 20, 2023, Nicaraguan police arrested Sáenz, a seminarian, alongside Bishop Isidro Mora after the bishop reportedly offered prayers for the wrongly imprisoned Bishop Rolando Álvarez during mass. Sáenz's arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On January 14, 2024, Sáenz was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Related cases: Rolando ÁlvarezIsidro MoraTony Palacios

Additional Name(s): Gustavo Sandino Ochoa

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/31/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Unknown

José Gustavo Sandino Ochoa

Extra Bio Info:

 José Gustavo Sandino Ochoa was detained for his religious leadership role.

On December 31, 2023, police reportedly arrested Sandino, parish priest of Our Lady of Sorrows parish in the Diocese of Jinotega, under unclear circumstances. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On January 14, 2024, Sandino was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Sandino reportedly suffers from unspecified health issues.

Additional Name(s): Monsignor Ismael Serrano

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/30/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Ismael Serrano

Extra Bio Info:

Ismael Serrano was detained for his religious leadership role.

On December 30, 2023, police arrested Serrano, parish priest of San Miguel Arcángel, Las Brisas, under unclear circumstances. His arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On January 14, 2024, Serrano was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Serrano reportedly suffers from unspecified health issues.