SW News: Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Nicaragua, who is under house arrest, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison by a court on Friday, Feb 10. The bold prelate, who is a vocal critic of President Daniel Ortega and his Sandinista regime, had refused to take a flight to the United States along with 222 other political prisoners who were deported.

Bishop Alvarez was declared a “traitor to the fatherland” in the verdict that was read out by an appeals court judge. He was also slapped with a penalty of 1,600 US dollars and his citizenship was taken away as well. After the verdict was announced, Ortega appeared on national television in which he said it was absurd on the part of Bishop Alvarez not to leave and vowed to send him to jail on “terrorism” charges. It is widely believed that the prelate was foisted with trumped-up allegations as the president wishes to silence him forever.

It was in August last year that security personnel stormed his curia and arrested him. He was whisked away to Managua where he was placed under house arrest all throughout his trial. The four priests and two seminarians who were taken by police from his curia were sent to the notorious Evin prison, where political prisoners are tortured. They were among the 222 political prisoners who were deported to the United States.

Bishop Alvarez was charged with “conspiracy” and propagating “fake news”. According to AFP, Chief Magistrate Octavio Rothschuh said the prelate would finish his prison term only on April 13, 2049.

Ortega has been systematically targeting the Catholic Church since he came to power. He believes the Church to be his biggest adversary as it is highly critical of his rights violations, including the brutal crackdown on protesters. Last year, he forced the Missionaries of Charity nuns to close down their facilities and leave the country. They were forced to seek refuge in neighboring Costa Rica. Similarly, he also expelled the Vatican Nuncio and closed down several Catholic radio stations.