Thirteen Nicaraguan pastors and attorneys affiliated with Mountain Gateway, a Texas-based ministry, have been freed from prison after months of diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Nicaraguan governments.
International Christian Concern (ICC) reports that they were freed on September 5 after nine months in prison.
The 13 prisoners, comprising 11 pastors and two attorneys, were arrested by the Nicaraguan authorities in December 2023 following a large evangelistic event.
In March, 2024, they were convicted of money laundering and sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. They were also fined about $1 billion.
The U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement that the 13 Mountain-Gateway-affiliated prisoners were released through a deal arranged by that country (U.S) government.
They were among the 135 “unjustly detained prisoners” released by the Nicaraguan government.
Mr Sullivan said “no one should be put in jail for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights of free expression, association, and practicing their religion.”
“This is the day we have prayed and believed God for. These pastors and attorneys have suffered greatly for the sake of the Gospel, but it has not been in vain. The kingdom of God is advancing because of their persecution. Today, we cry tears of joy because our brothers and sisters are free,” Jon Britton Hancock, founder of Mountain Gateway, said in a statement.
CC reports that no fewer than 500 churches and religious organisations have been attacked in Nicaragua since 2018.