(CNN Spanish) — Pro-government media, such as El 19 Digital and Canal 4 Nicaragua -controlled by the government of Daniel Ortega-, released this Saturday photographs and a video of what they said was a meeting between the imprisoned bishop of Matagalpa, Monsignor Rolando Álvarez, and two people whom they identified as their siblings.
In the images, the prelate can be seen – in a blue prisoner’s uniform – eating, talking and at times smiling with the two people. Later, he is interviewed by someone who is not on camera.
When asked about his condition, Monsignor Álvarez said he was: “With a lot of inner strength, with a lot of peace in the Lord and the Blessed Virgin.” The Bishop of Matagalpa assures in the interview that with whom he conversed are part of his brothers.
Next, the person who interrogates him asks:
– Can you confirm that you have received dignified treatment, as every human being deserves?
-Yes Yes Yes Yes. Thank God and I thank the competent authorities, and those of the penitentiary system – underlined the bishop.
“Today is the Annunciation of the angel to the Mother (…) on her day, because my brothers have been able to come to see me. The Mother always protects us and covers us all,” Monsignor Álvarez added in the last part of the interview.
According to the publication of El 19 Digital, the meeting between the Nicaraguan prelate and his relatives took place this Saturday afternoon in the “Jorge Navarro” National Penitentiary System, in the municipality of Tipitapa.
CNN has not been able to independently verify the location and date where the footage was recorded and the photographs taken.
Image of Monsignor Rolando Álvarez in his blue prison uniform with two of his brothers. (Credit: Channel 4 of Nicaragua)
In previous days, organizations such as the Nicaragua Human Rights Collective Never +, as well as leaders of the Catholic Church in exile, appeared in the media and on digital platforms, demanding proof of Monsignor Álvarez’s life from the Ortega government.
In addition, they called for the release of the bishop and other imprisoned priests.
CNN requested this Sunday reactions from the authorities of the Catholic Church in Nicaragua on the material disseminated by the Government, without yet receiving a response.
Silvio José Báez, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Managua, wrote on Twitter: “I was very happy to see the photos of my brother Monsignor Rolando. I thank God that he is alive! The scenery of the dictatorship has been disgusting and cynical and does not erase his crime. The strength of the people’s prayer and international pressure have been revealed. Release him now!”
The Nicaraguan justice system sentenced Monsignor Rolando Jose Álvarez to more than 26 years in prison last February for crimes such as undermining the State of the Republic and Nicaraguan society, and for allegedly being the author of spreading false news. Lacking defense, the bishop did not defend himself against the accusations.
The bishop of Matagalpa has been detained since last August. President Daniel Ortega reported on a national network that Álvarez refused to get on the plane with the 222 prisoners who were expelled from Nicaragua to the United States, whose government later announced that it would grant them humanitarian permission.
