Additional Name(s): Óscar Danilo Benavidez Dávila
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Nicaragua
Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: August/14/2022
Date of Sentencing: January/24/2023
Date of Release: February/9/2023
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Human Rights Work for Religious Communities Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role
Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials Subversion
Oscar Benavidez was imprisoned for criticizing religious freedom conditions.
On August 14, 2022, authorities reportedly arrested Benavidez, a priest, after he performed mass. Benavidez regularly condemned "injustices" committed by the government. During the mass prior to his arrest, he mentioned the persecution of the prophets. His arrest came amid a crackdown on Catholic religious figures and institutions throughout the country.
On January 16, 2023, the Tenth Court of the Criminal Trial District of Managua found Benavidez guilty of “conspiracy to undermine national security and sovereignty” and “spreading fake news.” Prosecutors requested that Benavidez be sentenced to eight years in prison.
On January 24, 2023, Benavidez was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
On February 9, 2023, Benavidez was released from prison and exiled to the United States.
"Release of Political Prisoners from Nicaragua" Secretary Antony J. Blinken, U.S. Department of State
"Estos son los presos políticos desterrados a EE. UU." La Prensa
"Otro sacerdote nicaragüense es condenado por Daniel Ortega" Deutsche Welle (DW)
"Meet the priest the Nicaraguan dictatorship wants to put away for eight years" Catholic News Agency (CNA)
"Nicaraguan priest found guilty, sentenced to eight years in prison for ‘conspiracy’" Catholic News Agency (CNA)
"Dictadura orteguista declara culpable al sacerdote Óscar Benavidez" La Prensa
"Sacerdote Oscar Benavídez ya fue acusado por la Fiscalía. Aún se desconoce su supuesto delito" La Prensa
Additional Name(s): Hani Farouk Gibran, هاني فاروق جبران
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Egypt
Religion or Belief: Christian – Orthodox
Health Concerns: Arm infection
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: June/4/2022
Date of Release: September/13/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Online Activity
Nature of Charges: Immorality Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials
Hani Gibran was detained for criticizing religious freedom conditions.
On June 4, 2022, police arrested Gibran after he posted about the targeting of the Coptic Christian community on social media. In one post, Gibran wrote "No to attacks on churches in Egypt, burning homes and kidnapping girls.” He was charged with spreading false news and rumors, assaulting Egyptian family values, and managing a private account to commit crimes.
In August 2022, Gibran was reportedly taken to the hospital following an infection in his arm.
On September 13, 2022, Gibran was released on bail.
"الافراج عن المحامى القبطى هانى فاروق بكفالة 2000 جنيه" Copts Today
المبادرة المصرية للحقوق الشخصية, Tweet, September 13, 2022
"محكمة جنح مستأنف مدینة نصر تمدد أمر حبس المحامي هاني جبران في واقعة نشر عن "خطف" عدد من المسیحیات" Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)