Jaime Iván Montesinos Sauceda
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: May/23/2023
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: Treason & Sedition
Jaime Iván Montesinos Sauceda
Extra Bio Info:
Jaime Iván Montesinos Sauceda was detained in relation to criticism of religious freedom conditions.
On May 23, 2023, police arrested Montesinos Sauceda, the parish priest of San Juan Pablo II in Matagalpa. Montesinos Sauceda is reportedly charged with treason and committing acts to undermine Nicaragua's independence and integrity. 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, Montesinos Sauceda was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.
Sources:
- USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua's Expulsion of Arbitrarily Detained Priests October 25, 2023
- "Nicaragua arrests priest for treason, freezes Church accounts" La Croix International