The Nicaraguan dictatorship, led by Daniel Ortega and his wife Rosario Murillo, sentenced three priests, a deacon, two seminarians, and a layman from the Diocese of Matagalpa to ten years imprisonment. This is a new form of attack against the Catholic Church by the government in the country.
The sentence was handed down on Monday,6 February, by Judge Nadia Tardencilla, of the Second Criminal Trial District, reports the local newspaper La Prensa.
The sentence is divided into 5 years for the crime of “conspiracy to undermine national integrity” and 5 years for “propagation of false news”, to which is added an 800-day fine.
The convicted priests are Ramiro Reynaldo Tijerino Chávez (50), rector of the Juan Pablo II University; Sadiel Antonio Eugarrios Cano (35), former vicar of the Cathedral of Matagalpa; and José Luis Díaz Cruz (33), current vicar of the Cathedral of Matagalpa.
Deacon Raúl Antonio Vega González (27); seminarians Darvin Esteylin Leiva Mendoza (19) and Melkin Antonio Centeno Sequeira (23); and the photographer Sergio José Cárdenas Flores (32).
The seven convicts had been found guilty on January 27 and were awaiting sentencing.
The sentence is added to the one imposed on Fr. Oscar Benavidez, released on February 4.
On January 10, the regime announced that the Bishop of Matagalpa, Msgr. Rolando Álvarez, who remains under house arrest, will stand trial after being accused of conspiracy. The Prelate has not yet been sentenced.