Gender: Female
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December//2023
Date of Sentencing: March/19/2024
Date of Release: September/5/2024
Current Status: 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 was 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.
On September 5, 2024, the Nicaraguan government exiled Ruiz to Guatemala.
Related cases: Marcos Sergio Hernández Jirón, Harry Lening Rios Bravo, Manuel de Jesús Ríos Flores, José Luis Orozco Urrutia, Álvaro Daniel Escobar Cabrera, Juan Carlos Chavarría Zapata, Juan Luis Moncada, Orvin Alexis Moncada Castellano, César Facundo Burgalin Miranda, Walner Omier Blandón Ochoa
Publicly Available Information:
- Photo attributed to ADF International and Mountain Gateway Order, Inc.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Sentence: 15 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December//2024
Date of Sentencing: March/19/2024
Date of Release: September/5/2024
Current Status: 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 was 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.
On September 5, 2024, the Nicaraguan government exiled Ochoa to Guatemala.
Related cases: Marcos Sergio Hernández Jirón, Harry Lening Rios Bravo, Manuel de Jesús Ríos Flores, José Luis Orozco Urrutia, Álvaro Daniel Escobar Cabrera, Juan Carlos Chavarría Zapata, Juan Luis Moncada, Orvin Alexis Moncada Castellano, César Facundo Burgalin Miranda, Marisela de Fátima Mejía Ruiz
Publicly Available Information:
- Photo attributed to ADF International and Mountain Gateway Order, Inc.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Protestant
Sentence: 12 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: December//2023
Date of Sentencing: March/19/2024
Date of Release: September/5/2024
Current Status: 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 was 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.
On September 5, 2024, the Nicaraguan government exiled Miranda to Guatemala.
Related cases: Marcos Sergio Hernández Jirón, Harry Lening Rios Bravo, Manuel de Jesús Ríos Flores, José Luis Orozco Urrutia, Álvaro Daniel Escobar Cabrera, Juan Carlos Chavarría Zapata, Juan Luis Moncada, Orvin Alexis Moncada Castellano, Walner Omier Blandón Ochoa, Marisela de Fátima Mejía Ruiz
Publicly Available Information:
- Photo attributed to ADF International and Mountain Gateway Order, Inc.