Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December//2023

Date of Sentencing: March/19/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Embezzlement & Fraud

Marisela de Fátima Mejía Ruiz

Extra Bio Info:

Marisela de Fátima Mejía Ruiz is imprisoned for her religious affiliation and religious leadership role.

In December 2023, Nicaraguan police arrested Ruiz, a pastor with the Puerta de la Montaña Ministry, on dubious "money laundering charges" amid a crackdown on religious communities.  

On March 19, 2024, the Fifth District Criminal Court sentenced Ruiz to 15 years in prison. Ruiz was also fined $80 million.

Related cases: Marcos Sergio Hernández JirónHarry Lening Rios BravoManuel de Jesús Ríos FloresJosé Luis Orozco UrrutiaÁlvaro Daniel Escobar CabreraJuan Carlos Chavarría ZapataJuan Luis MoncadaOrvin Alexis Moncada CastellanoCésar Facundo Burgalin MirandaWalner Omier Blandón Ochoa

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December//2024

Date of Sentencing: March/19/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Walner Omier Blandón Ochoa

Extra Bio Info:

Walner Omier Blandón Ochoa is imprisoned for his religious affiliation and religious leadership role.

In December 2023, Nicaraguan police arrested Ochoa, a pastor with the Puerta de la Montaña Ministry, on dubious "money laundering charges" amid a crackdown on religious communities. 

On March 19, 2024, the Fifth District Criminal Court sentenced Ochoa to 15 years in prison. Ochoa was also fined $80 million.

Related cases: Marcos Sergio Hernández JirónHarry Lening Rios BravoManuel de Jesús Ríos FloresJosé Luis Orozco UrrutiaÁlvaro Daniel Escobar CabreraJuan Carlos Chavarría ZapataJuan Luis MoncadaOrvin Alexis Moncada Castellano, César Facundo Burgalin MirandaMarisela de Fátima Mejía Ruiz

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant

Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: December//2023

Date of Sentencing: March/19/2024

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Religious Association Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Embezzlement & Fraud

César Facundo Burgalin Miranda

Extra Bio Info:

César Facundo Burgalin Miranda is imprisoned for his religious affiliation and religious leadership role.

In December 2023, Nicaraguan police arrested Miranda, a pastor with the Puerta de la Montaña Ministry, on dubious "money laundering charges" amid a crackdown on religious communities.  

On March 19, 2024, the Fifth District Criminal Court sentenced Miranda to 12 years in prison. Miranda was also fined $80 million.

Related cases: Marcos Sergio Hernández JirónHarry Lening Rios BravoManuel de Jesús Ríos FloresJosé Luis Orozco UrrutiaÁlvaro Daniel Escobar CabreraJuan Carlos Chavarría ZapataJuan Luis Moncada, Orvin Alexis Moncada CastellanoWalner Omier Blandón OchoaMarisela de Fátima Mejía Ruiz