An anti-government bishop in Nicaragua sentenced to 26 years in prison

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Bishop Rolando Alvarez, critic of President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, has been sentenced to 26 years in prison on charges of treason, undermining national integrity and spreading false news.

The extended prison term, Religion Media Center reported, follows his refusal to be expelled to the United States as part of a prisoner release.

He was arrested last August with four priests, two seminarians and a Catholic TV cameraman, after they barricaded themselves into a church building.

The Pope appealed to politicians in Nicaragua to engage in dialogue with opponents and has offered prayers for the bishop.