Norlan José Cárdenas

Norlan José Cárdenas, the Masaya father sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Norlan José Cárdenas, 34 years old, originally from Masaya, is the father of a 10 year old boy, has been a sports enthusiast, hardworking and responsible. During his years of studies, Norlan has been recognized for his academic excellence.

Norlan, has been hard working and hardworking, which allowed him to distinguish himself in different jobs, he started working in a hospital as a typist until he reached the pharmacy area. His last job, before being arbitrarily detained by the police on November 30, 2019, was as a waiter in a discotheque in the city of Masaya.

Norlan was unjustly accused by Nicaragua’s co-opted criminal justice system that accused him of belonging to the gang led by Jose Isaias Ugarte, a former Sandinista militant who was shot dead on December 1, 2019 by police.

Ugarte had opposed the repression since April 18, 2018. Norlan was charged for allegedly shooting two police officers, for the crimes of attempted homicide and manufacture, possession and use of restricted weapons or explosive devices, being sentenced by Judge Alia Dominga Ampié to 15 years in prison.

Norlan is currently in the penitentiary system “La Modelo” in Tipitapa, depriving him of seeing his son grow up. He has presented skin problems and in 2020 presented symptoms associated with Covid-19, without receiving timely and adequate medical attention.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures on November 2, 2020. The request refers that Norlan faces serious limitations in access to water and shares a cell with at least 18 people. Some restrictions on the entry of cleaning products and sanitary implements such as masks and gloves were also reported.

It was also reported that Norlan has a hematoma on the back of his head, which had not been reported to the prison doctor, without any attention being given to him. In addition, it was reported that the proposed beneficiary had been severely beaten and was showing symptoms of COVID-19 and regarding the lack of adequate medication and the difficulty for family members to be allowed to admit them.

Taking into account the above, the IACHR called on the State to consider the possibility of granting alternative measures to imprisonment due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however the State continues without implementing the measures granted in his favor.

Freedom for Norlan Cardenas!

We demand to the Ortega-Murillo regime: Free Nicas Now!