Julio Berríos
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Unspecified
Sentence: 6 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Sentencing: December/24/2023
Date of Release: September/5/2024
Current Status: Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Managing a Religious Institution Religious Activity Religious Association
Nature of Charges: Embezzlement & Fraud
Julio Berríos
Extra Bio Info:
Julio Berríos was imprisoned for his association with a religious organization.
In 2023, Nicaraguan authorities detained Berríos, a former employee of the Catholic charity Caritas in the Diocese of Estelí, under unclear circumstances. Berríos' arrest came amid intensified crackdowns on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.
On December 24, 2023, the government convicted Berríos on dubious money laundering charges in relation to his work with Caritas and sentenced him to six years' imprisonment. The government has a pattern of baselessly alleging non-governmental organizations and their employees, including Catholic charitable and educational institutions, are failing to comply with various financial laws as a pretext to shutter them.
On September 5, 2024, the Nicaraguan government exiled Berríos to Guatemala.
Related cases: Julio Sevilla, Bladimir Pallés, María Verónica Herrera Galeano, Freydell Andino, Mariví Andino
Sources:
- "Caritas staff convicted, 'posadas' forbidden amid Christmas crackdown in Nicaragua" National Catholic Reporter (NCR)