Bishop Rolando Álvarez, confined to his residence in Matagalpa for two weeks in August, before being taken to the capital, Managua, appeared before a judge in Managua on 13 December and was formally charged with “conspiracy to undermine the state” and is due to stand trial on 10 January.
Observers said that in photos published by the judicial authorities the bishop looked pale and appeared to have lost weight. Charged along with Bishop Álvarez is Mgr Uriel Vallejos, who, however, is in exile. Both clerics are said to “have taken advantage of their status as religious leaders, using the media and social networks in an attempt to organise violent groups, inciting them to perform acts of hatred against the population and provoking an atmosphere of unrest and disorder”.
Human rights groups in Nicaragua criticised the lack of due process in the case, since Bishop Álvarez has been under a form of house arrest since August. The charges against the bishop provoked a comment from the US Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols, who tweeted: “Mgr Roland Álvarez is a spiritual leader for millions of Nicaraguans and a defender of dialogue and reconciliation. To accuse him of conspiring to undermine national integrity is a cynical act by an authoritarian state.” Once again, there has been no comment on Bishop Álvarez’ position from the Nicaraguan bishops’ conference. The seven clergy and lay people confined with Bishop Álvarez in his Matagalpa residence are currently in Managua’s El Chipote prison, facing charges of “conspiracy” and “spreading fake news”.
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