{"id":60717,"date":"2024-09-05T18:21:24","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T17:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/?p=60717"},"modified":"2024-09-05T20:53:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T19:53:06","slug":"released-from-prison-nicaraguan-authorities-release-fraudulently-convicted-pastors-ministry-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/news\/nicaragua-leaders-released","title":{"rendered":"RELEASED FROM PRISON: Nicaraguan authorities release fraudulently convicted pastors, ministry leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"60717\" class=\"elementor elementor-60717\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-04c194c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"04c194c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d7dfeb3\" data-id=\"d7dfeb3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8f532b elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"d8f532b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>11 pastors, ministry leaders with Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a now safe in Guatemala after being sentenced to millions in fines and 10+ years in prison on sham charges.<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Inter-American Court previously called for their release following ADF International filing.<\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc0da84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bc0da84\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Mountain-Gateway-1024x548.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-45044\" alt=\"Pastors and ministry leaders in Nicaragua facing persecution.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Mountain-Gateway-1024x548.webp 1024w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Mountain-Gateway-300x161.webp 300w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Mountain-Gateway-768x411.webp 768w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Mountain-Gateway-1536x823.webp 1536w, https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Mountain-Gateway.webp 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-143f396 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"143f396\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">GUATEMALA <\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">(5 September 2024)<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">The U.S. State Department today announced the release of 135 prisoners in Nicaragua. Among them were the 11 pastors and ministry leaders affiliated with Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a, the Nicaraguan branch of a U.S.-based Christian ministry. The 11 leaders,<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">targeted for their work in ministry,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> received prison sentences ranging between 12 and 15 years and over 80 million dollars in fines per person after a sham trial. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The 11 pastors and ministry leaders are now safe in Guatemala after being imprisoned for over six months. While in prison, they were barred from contacting their families or legal counsel.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.state.gov\/release-of-political-prisoners-from-nicaragua-to-guatemala\/#:~:text=Today%2C%20the%20United%20States%20secured,and%20support%20in%20welcoming%20them.\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">State Department<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the 11 \u201csafely and voluntarily arrived in Guatemala\u201d following their unjust detention. The State Department went on to say that \u201cNicaraguan authorities unjustly detained these individuals for exercising their fundamental freedoms of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, and of religion or belief.\u201d <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cNo one should be punished or prosecuted for their faith, and these 11 leaders should have never been unjustly imprisoned in the first place. ADF International is privileged to have advocated for them. We thank God for their release and will continue to pray for them as they recover from this ordeal,\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> said Kristina Hjelkrem, Legal Counsel for Latin America for ADF International and lead lawyer on the case. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe fact of the matter remains that the situation in Nicaragua is dire. People of faith have been openly and systematically persecuted and harassed by their government. ADF International will continue to advocate for religious freedom for all, and we look forward to continuing to seek justice for those wrongfully punished for their faith at the hands of the Nicaraguan regime.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ADF International advocated for the imprisoned pastors at the international level, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/news\/mountain-gateway-nicaragua\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">petitioning<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> on their behalf to the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Inter-American Commission and Court on Human Rights.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sham Convictions\u202f<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a is the Nicaraguan branch of a U.S.-based ministry whose stated purpose is to recruit, train, commission, and send out ordained Christian ministers to spread the Gospel.\u202fOperating legally within the country, Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a served the citizens of Nicaragua through discipleship, church planting, feeding, and clothing to those in need, aiding during natural disasters, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to thousands of Nicaraguans through their mass evangelical campaign events.\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On December 2023, the Nicaraguan Police issued a press release announcing a money laundering investigation into the 11 religious leaders, in addition to three American citizens. The press release also announced that the police had arrested 11 Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a representatives, including its pastors, other ministry leaders, and the legal representative of the ministry, and would investigate the U.S. citizens involved with the organization.\u202fThat same month, without notification, Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a\u2019s registration as a ministry in Nicaragua was arbitrarily revoked, and the government seized all of the ministry\u2019s property and assets.\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The ministry publicly denied these allegations, stating that they followed all legal requirements in the U.S. and Nicaragua that apply to non-profit and faith-based organizations.\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">During the sham trial that followed the arrest, the government was unable to produce any evidence of the alleged illicit activity or alleged unlawful funds. The pastors and leaders maintained their innocence but remained in prison.\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a\u2019s religious leaders were imprisoned for over\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">eight\u202fmonths<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, unable to contact their legal counsel or their families. The government allowed lawyers to be appointed but failed to provide them with any charging documents or files to adequately prepare a defence.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A formal conviction was handed down on 19 March 2024, sentencing the 11 individuals to between 12 and 15 years in prison and to pay over 80 million dollars in fines per person.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Members of the U.S. Senate, including Senators Rick Scott\u202f(R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), advocated for the freedom of the Christian prisoners, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ADFIntl\/status\/1768747135011369291?s=20\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">calling on the Biden Administration<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202fto \u201cimplement strong, targeted sanctions following the repeated &amp; escalating violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua\u201d.\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In addition, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), led a\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aderholt.house.gov\/media-center\/press-releases\/aderholt-calls-nicaragua-release-imprisoned-pastors\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">bipartisan, bicameral letter<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202faddressed to the Ambassador of Nicaragua that expressed concern over\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/our-focus\/religious-freedom\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">religious freedom<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202fviolations and called for the release of the pastors. 58 Members of Congress signed the letter. In response to the situation, Congressman Aderholt said: \u201cIt was religious persecution that detained them, and it is blatant human rights violations that have kept them detained \u2013 these pastors must be released immediately.\u201d\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In April 2024, in response to a petition from ADF International, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/news\/imprisoned-pastors-nicaragua\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">called on Nicaragua<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202fto address the imprisonment of the Puerta de la Monta\u00f1a leaders and ensure their human rights protections.\u202fIn July 2024, the Inter-American Court on Human Rights granted <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/news\/ministry-leaders-nicaragua\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">provisional measures<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> to the detained leaders, calling for their immediate release and restoration of contact with their families and legal counsel.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Religious persecution prevalent in Nicaragua<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ADF International is also supporting the case of\u202fBishop Rolando \u00c1lvarez, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison for preaching on human rights violations perpetrated by the Nicaraguan government.\u202f<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/cases\/bishop-rolando-alvarez\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Bishop \u00c1lvarez<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, expelled from Nicaragua for his religious convictions, is now in exile.\u202fHis case continues before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in the hopes of achieving <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">some measure of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">justice for the bishop and setting a positive precedent for others facing similar trials in Nicaragua.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0deaf0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f0deaf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9484a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c9484a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Images for free use in print or online with credit to ADF International and Mountain Gateway Order, Inc. in relation to this story only<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0469414 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"0469414\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" 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href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Walner-Omier-Blandon-Ochoa-Marisela-de-Fatima-Mejia-Ruiz-scaled.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"0469414\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Walner Omier Blando\u0301n Ochoa + Marisela de Fa\u0301tima Meji\u0301a Ruiz\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDQ5NzYsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC9hZGZpbnRlcm5hdGlvbmFsLm9yZ1wvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNFwvMDNcL1dhbG5lci1PbWllci1CbGFuZG9uLU9jaG9hLU1hcmlzZWxhLWRlLUZhdGltYS1NZWppYS1SdWl6LXNjYWxlZC5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiIwNDY5NDE0In0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Walner-Omier-Blandon-Ochoa-Marisela-de-Fatima-Mejia-Ruiz-1024x683.jpg\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"683\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div 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