Rolando Álvarez
Additional Name(s): Rolando José Álvarez, Rolando Jose Alvarez Lagos
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Sentence: 26 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/4/2022
Date of Sentencing: February/10/2023
Date of Release: January/14/2024
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Religious Activity Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Criminal Premeditation & Conspiracy Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Treason & Sedition
Rolando Álvarez
Extra Bio Info:
Rolando Álvarez was imprisoned for criticizing religious freedom conditions.
On August 4, 2022, police prevented Álvarez, bishop of the Matagalpa diocese, from leaving his home to perform mass at a local cathedral after he criticized the government’s recent closure of several Catholic radio stations and its human rights record. Álvarez remained under de facto house arrest as authorities investigated him for “organizing violent groups” and encouraging them “to carry out acts of hate against the population.”
On August 19, 2022, police arrested Álvarez from his residence. It is reported that he was taken to Managua and placed under house arrest in his parents' home.
In December 2022, a court ordered that Álvarez remain under house arrest on charges of “conspiracy” and “spreading false news." He was also accused of “damaging the Nicaraguan government and society.”
On February 10, 2023, a court sentenced Álvarez to 26 years in prison after he declined to be exiled to the United States in a prisoner release the day before. Álvarez was reportedly convicted of several charges, including treason, undermining national integrity and spreading false news. He was also fined and stripped of his citizenship.
On January 14, 2024, Álvarez was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.
Related Cases: Ramiro Tijerino, Sadiel Eugarrios, Raúl Antonio Vega, José Luis Díaz, Darvin Leiva, Melkin Sequeira, Sergio Cárdenas
Sources:
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Photo attributed to Ramírez 22 nic, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- USCIRF Commissioners Frederick Davie and Frank Wolf, Tweet, January 16, 2024
- USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua's Expulsion of Arbitrarily Detained Priests October 25, 2023
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USCIRF Commissioners Frank Wolf and Frederick Davie, Tweet, August 21, 2023
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USCIRF Commissioners Frank Wolf and Frederick Davie, Tweet, August 18, 2023
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USCIRF Commissioners Abraham Cooper, Frederick Davie, and Frank Wolf, Tweet, August 14, 2023
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USCIRF Commissioners Frank Wolf and Frederick Davie, Tweet, July 13, 2023
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"Así es 'El Infiernillo' donde el obispo Rolando Álvarez cumple 100 días encarcelado" Confidencial
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USCIRF Commissioners Frank Wolf, Frederick Davie, and Abraham Cooper, Tweet, April 20, 2023
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USCIRF Press Release: USCIRF Condemns Nicaragua’s 26-year Prison Sentence for Bishop Rolando Álvarez February 14, 2023
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"Nicaraguan bishop who refused exile gets 26 years in prison" Associated Press (AP)
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"Nicaraguan Catholic bishop sentenced to decades in prison, citizenship stripped" Reuters
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USCIRF Commissioners Frank Wolf and Frederick Davie, Tweet, December 15, 2022
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"Nicaragua orders bishop to remain under house arrest" Associated Press (AP)
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USCIRF Hearing: Crackdown on Religious Freedom in Nicaragua November 15, 2022
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"Roman Catholic leaders imprisoned" Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)
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"Catholics hope and pray for freedom of Bishop Alvarez in Nicaragua" Vatican News
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USCIRF Commissioners Frank Wolf and Fred Davie, Tweet, August 22, 2022
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"Nicaraguan bishop arrested after two-week standoff at Matagalpa residence" The Guardian
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"Nicaraguan police detain bishop who criticized government" Los Angeles Times
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USCIRF Country Update: Religious Freedom in Nicaragua in 2022 August 11, 2022
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“Bishops in Nicaragua ‘close’ to Bishop Alvarez under house arrest” Vatican News
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“Nicaraguan police accuse bishop of inciting violence” Deutsche Welle (DW)
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“Nicaragua police investigating bishop critical of government” Associated Press (AP)