(CNN Spanish) — The government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega accused the Nicaraguan Catholic Church on Saturday of being part of a money laundering ring involving people previously convicted of “treason” and several dioceses in the country, without details being provided specific, according to a press release issued by the State Police.
“The outcome of the investigation confirmed the illegal theft of assets from bank accounts which was ordered by law to block, as well as other illegal activities which are still being investigated as part of a money laundering ring which was uncovered in Dioceses of different Departments.” It was stated in the statement.
According to the police, the Superintendency of Banks has asked the Episcopal Conference of Nicaragua and the Archbishop of Managua, Card. Leopoldo Brenes, to present documents that “show the movements of the bank accounts of the Dioceses, in order to comply at all times with the laws of the country”.
CNN is seeking more information on the case with the government’s Council for Communication and Citizenship, as well as a reaction from the Archdiocese of Managua and Brenes, which had not issued a public statement on the case.
This Sunday, during a homily from the cathedral of Managua, and without referring directly to the government’s accusations, Brenes invited his parishioners, especially young people, “not to be afraid”, since “fear is promoted by the devil”.
In its statement, the Nicaraguan National Police said the investigations stem from previously tried cases of treason against the homeland, this in reference to the controversial law for the defense of the people’s rights to independence, sovereignty and self-determination for peace . , which since its implementation has been used to imprison critics of the Ortega government, journalists and even opposition presidential candidates.
The announced money laundering investigations represent the latest episode in a series of actions taken by the Ortega regime against the Catholic Church, which this year alone has seen the closure of a university in the archdiocese of Managua, the arrests of priests, expulsion of the nuns from the country and the breaking of diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
