(ANSA) - MATAGALPA, AUGUST 05 - The Nicaraguan police have accused the Catholic Church and bishop Rolando Alvarez, who had been besieged for two days in his residence, of inciting violence to destabilize the country.
Police said in a statement that the Chiesa and Alvarez, openly critical of President Daniel Ortega, were "trying to organize violent groups by inciting them to hate" the government, adding that an investigation had been opened.
Alvarez, along with numerous priests and lay people, has been locked up in the bishop's residence in the northern city of Matagalpa since last Thursday, when the riot police prevented him from going out to celebrate mass.
It is the latest episode of a situation of growing tension between civil society and a government accused by many of authoritarianism.
(HANDLE).
