Nicaragua: CSW calls for release of detained Protestant pastor and seven others

Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas

Source: CSW

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is calling on the Nicaraguan government to immediately release a prominent Protestant pastor and seven other individuals arbitrarily detained on 17 July.

Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas, the founder of La Roca de Nicaragua Church Association, his sister, two brothers-in-law and a family friend are believed to be held in La Granja Maximum Security Prison in Grenada Department.

On the evening of Thursday 17 July, in Jinotepe, Carazo Department, armed, uniformed police officers and 'volunteer' officers wearing masks and dressed in black or blue carried out a coordinated operation forcing their way into the homes Pastor Palacios Vargas, his sisters Arely Palacios Vargas and Jéssica Palacios Vargas, and their husbands Pedro José López and Armando José Bermudez Mojica, respectively. Mauricio Alonso Prieto, a political activist and friend of the pastor, and his adult son of the same name, who is a part of the worship team at Pastor Palacios Vargas' church were detained as well. Family friend Olga María Lara Rojas, a former political councillor, who is a Protestant Christian but not a member of Pastor Palacios Vargas' church, was also arrested at her home.

No arrest warrants were shown but all of those listed above were arrested and detained and reportedly taken to the 3rd Police District. The detainees' mobile phones and other electronic devices were confiscated. No information as to their whereabouts was provided to the victims' family members.

On 28 July Nicaraguan news outlet 100% Noticias reported that Pastor Palacios Vargas, Mr Bermudez Mojica, Jéssica Palacios Vargas, Mr López and Ms Lara Rojas had been transferred to 'La Granja', a notoriously overcrowded prison, where they had been subjected to a fast-tracked virtual hearing. They were charged with treason and conspiracy. There has been no news as to the circumstances of the remaining individuals in detention, nor has there been any information regarding when or to what those who have been charged will be sentenced.

Pastor Palacios Vargas has been an outspoken critic of the government since the 2018 protests when he condemned the government's use of violence against the demonstrators, most of whom were students. He was forced to flee the country on 6 July 2018 after he and his family received threats via the phone and on social media. Two days later, at least three members of his church were killed by security forces and paramilitaries. In 2019 La Roca de Nicaragua Church Assocation, which maintained six branches in Carazo and other departments on the Pacific Coast, was arbitrarily stripped of its legal status.

Following a diagnosis of cancer, Pastor Palacios Vargas returned to Nicaragua in December 2020. Since January 2021 he has been under close police supervision, essentially amounting to house arrest.

CSW Director of Advocacy Anna Lee Stangl said: "The arbitrary detention of Pastor Rudy Palacios Vargas and his friends and family members is the culmination of years of persecution because of his willingness to openly criticise the ongoing grave violations of human rights under the regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo. We call on the Nicaraguan to release Pastor Palacios Vargas and all the others detained alongside him immediately, and urge members of the international community to engage available diplomatic channels to determine their well-being and to demand their release."