The 11 Mountain Gateway pastors arrested in Nicaragua in December have been sentenced to 12 to 15 years in prison and have been ordered to pay over $80 million each in fines.
Mountain Gateway, a non-profit Christian organization, was founded by Jon Britton Hancock, an Alabama native.
Hancock said the sham conviction is another way rogue individuals within the Nicaraguan government have persecuted Christians.
“It is not what we were hoping for but it is what we expected because there just is no rule of law or due process,” Hancock told 1819 News.
The pastors have not been able to have contact with their families since their arrests for money laundering and organized crime following mass evangelistic campaigns. At trial, Hancock said no evidence of the alleged crimes was presented, and the pastors were still found guilty. They were not allowed to meet with their legal representation. Attorneys have now filed an appeal.
“No one is safe from religious persecution in Nicaragua, and it is devastating to see the sham charges, trial and conviction of these pastors and ministry leaders who were simply sharing their faith with and serving the citizens of Nicaragua,” stated Kristina Hjelkrem, legal counsel for ADF (Alliance Defending Freedom) International. “No one should be persecuted for their faith, and we look forward to securing justice for these wrongfully imprisoned leaders. All who are able need to speak out against the innumerable injustices suffered by citizens of Nicaragua at the hands of their government. It is past time for the human rights of the Nicaraguan people to be fully restored.”
Despite the heartbreaking news, Hancock said there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
“There are good things happening,” he said. “There is a coalition in the U.S. government of between 65 and 60 advocates in Congress, and the State Department has been helpful. The president increased sanctions after a letter was sent, so we’re very happy about those kinds of things.”
Since the arrests, Hancock, who has also been threatened with an arrest, has been meeting with leaders in Washington to push for real economic pressure on those involved with the corrupt prosecution of the individuals.
“We’re just fighting, fighting, fighting, and I’m meeting with everybody that will listen,” he explained. “Everyone in government has been engaged, and that’s the case on both sides of the aisle.”
Hancock said the fight for religious freedom in Nicaragua and for the pastors of Mountain Gateway has gained international attention. He said he had faith that God would continue guiding all involved in the fight.
“While we are certainly dismayed at the formal conviction of our colleagues and friends in Nicaragua, we remain steadfast in our hope that God is in control,” Hancock said in a formal statement. “We will do everything in our power to secure justice for friends in Nicaragua, and we ask you to join us in praying for their safety and swift release.”
Two attorneys for Mountain Gateway were also arrested, but the status of those cases has not been revealed.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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