U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) spoke to Fox News Tuesday to again call for the immediate release of 11 pastors jailed in Nicaragua.
For months, lawmakers have been pressuring the Nicaraguan government to release the pastors who are from Mountain Gateway, a non-profit organization formed by Alabama native Jon Britton Hancock. The pastors were arrested after holding several large gatherings of Christians. They have now been sentenced to 10 to 15 years in prison for money laundering and organized crime.
Officials in the U.S. say the charges are bogus, and the pastors were jailed for political reasons by the Marxist administration of Daniel Ortega.
"The fact that they were saying that they sort of discovered something nefarious, there was no information, and it was totally bogus," Hancock told Fox News.
This past weekend I appeared on Fox News to talk about efforts to bring home the pastors who are being held by the Nicaraguan regime for simply preaching the gospel. They should be released immediately. pic.twitter.com/DTdMKkYC8B
— Robert Aderholt (@Robert_Aderholt) September 3, 2024
"This is something that really is unacceptable, that these Christians would be treated like this and for not doing any crime," Aderholt said.
Mountain Gateway worked for years with the Nicaraguan government until hundreds of thousands attended mass events for the Christian group.
Similar persecutions have occurred in the Catholic community.
"We think of this happening in biblical times," Aderholt continued. "They are basically just sharing the gospel, the good news of Christ."
The bipartisan fight for the pastors continues in Washington. Sanctions have been placed on Nicaraguan officials, including restricting visas for those within the Nicaraguan government.
Aderholt said the prisoners should be released immediately.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
