International human rights court condemns Nicaraguan government’s imprisonment of Christian ministry leaders, calls for immediate release

WASHINGTON, DC (10 July 2024) The Inter-American Court on Human Rights has granted provisional measures to the 11 pastors and ministry leaders with Puerta de la Montaña, the Nicaraguan branch of a U.S.-based ministry, who are currently imprisoned in Nicaragua on sham convictions of money laundering. The 11 have been imprisoned for over six months and barred from contacting legal counsel or family after receiving prison sentences ranging between 12 and 15 years and over 80 million dollars in fines per person.    

By granting provisional measures, the Court has mandated that the government of Nicaragua proceed with the immediate release of the 11 leaders and take necessary measures to protect their rights to life, personal liberty, and health while imprisoned. The measures also demand that the government facilitate immediate contact between the 11 imprisoned leaders and their families and legal counsel.  

“We are very pleased with the decision made by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and its intervention in this case,” stated Kristina Hjelkrem, legal counsel for ADF International.  

 “Multiple international human rights leaders have called for the release and protections of these wrongfully imprisoned pastors and ministry leaders, and it’s past time for Nicaraguan authorities to release them. We will continue praying for these Christian leaders’ well-being and imminent release, and we implore all who are able to continue speaking out on their behalf.”  

ADF International is supporting the legal defence of the imprisoned pastors. This decision from the Court follows precautionary measures that were handed down by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights earlier this year following a petition filed by ADF International on behalf of the 11 wrongfully imprisoned leaders.  

Sham Convictions  

Puerta de la Montaña 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. Operating legally within the country, Puerta de la Montaña 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. 

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 police’s claim was that they purportedly were using the organization Puerta de la Montaña as a front. The press release also announced that the police had arrested 11 Puerta de la Montaña 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. That same month, without notification, Puerta de la Montaña’s registration as a ministry in Nicaragua was arbitrarily revoked, and the government seized all of the ministry’s property and assets.   

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.   

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. All accused maintained their innocence, but remained in prison.   

Puerta de la Montaña’s religious leaders now have been imprisoned for over sixfour months, unable to contact their legal counsels or their families. The government has allowed for lawyers to be appointed, but has not provided their legal counsels with any charging documents or files to adequately prepare a defence.    

A formal conviction was handed down on 19 March 2024, sentencing the 11 individuals to 12 or 15 years in prison and to pay over 80 million dollars in fines per person.     

Members of the U.S. Senate, including Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), are advocating on the imprisoned individual’s behalf, recently calling on the Biden Administration to “implement strong, targeted sanctions following the repeated & escalating violations of religious freedom in Nicaragua”.   

In addition, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), led a bipartisan, bicameral letter addressed to the Ambassador of Nicaragua that expressed concern over religious freedom violations and called for the release of the pastors. The letter was signed by 58 Members of Congress. In response to the situation, Congressman Aderholt said: “It was religious persecution that detained them, and it is blatant human rights violations that have kept them detained – these pastors must be released immediately.”  

In April 2024, in response to a petition from ADF International, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights called on Nicaragua to address the imprisonment of the Puerta de la Montaña leaders and ensure their human rights protections.  

Religious persecution prevalent in Nicaragua   

ADF International is also supporting the legal defense of Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who was sentenced to 26 years in prison for preaching on human rights violations perpetrated by the Nicaraguan government. Bishop Álvarez, expelled from Nicaragua for his religious convictions, is now in exile. His case continues before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in the hopes of achieving justice for the bishop and setting a positive precedent for others facing similar trials in Nicaragua.