Managua:

A recent survey reveals Nicaraguans overwhelmingly disapprove of the conviction and imprisonment of Bishop Rolando Álvarez. The survey by the CID Gallup firm showed that 72 percent of Nicaraguans responded unfavorably when asked their opinion on the 26-year prison sentence given to Bishop Álvarez, after being accused of so-called treason.

While the majority responded that the prelate ‘is innocent’ and ‘should be released’, 9 percent said that ‘he is guilty’. As per the data revealed on November 30, 42.1 percent of Sandinista supporters, who are related to Ortega’s political party, viewed the sentence unfavorably. According to the poll, when the public was asked if they knew about the imprisonment of the prelate, 69 percent responded ‘yes’, while 28 said ‘no’.

The study also revealed that 57 percent of Nicaraguans believed that there is Christian persecution, while 33 percent said no. In response to the recent exile of 12 priests who were imprisoned and sent to Rome, 59 percent of Nicaraguans said that this was ‘negative’ and that the priests ought to go back to their parishes in their home country; while 23 percent "did not respond"; and 18 percent said that it was good that the priests had been sent abroad.

The poll was conducted between October 17 and November 15. The study was conducted on 800 people who were above the age of 18. Meanwhile, a previous study by the group earlier this year, revealed that 79 percent of Nicaraguans disapproved of the conviction and imprisonment of the prelate.

The report came to light days after the Nicaraguan dictatorship government released photographs and videos of Bishop Rolando Álvarez. The images were released on Tuesday night, a day after Álvarez, the bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Estelí, turned 57. The prelate was sentenced last February to more than 26 years in prison, alleging several crimes, including so-called treason against the homeland.