Eugenio Rodríguez Benavides
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: May/20/2023
Date of Release: October/18/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Eugenio Rodríguez Benavides
Extra Bio Info:
Eugenio Rodríguez Benavides is detained in relation to his religious beliefs and activities.
On May 20, 2023, police arrested Rodríguez Benavides, parish priest of Divina Providencia Church in Jalapa. His arrest came amid a crackdown on the Roman Catholic Church and its leaders for their criticism of the government's policies, human rights record, and religious freedom conditions.
On October 18, 2023, Rodríguez Benavides was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.
Related case: Leonardo Guevara Gutiérrez
Sources:
- USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua's Expulsion of Arbitrarily Detained Priests October 25, 2023
- "Eight priests under house arrest in Nicaragua reportedly transferred to El Chipote prison" Catholic News Agency (CNA)
- "Dos sacerdotes detenidos y 'bajo investigación' en Nicaragua: Iglesia católica" Voice of America (VOA)