After years of inaction, federal prosecutors in Argentina are pursuing criminal charges against perpetrators of religious persecution against an evangelical church in Rio Tercero, Cordoba Province.
The prosecution follows a May 29 judicial ruling that declared the long-running campaign of threats, vandalism and violence against Pueblo Grande Baptist Church “a clear violation of the law, the National Constitution and international treaties incorporated in it that pertain to freedom of religion.”
Alejandro Zeverin, the church’s defense attorney, said, “The fact that the Federal Court has initiated an investigation into this case is a victory. The fact that it has gone on for so long is a disgrace.”
‘Abuse of human rights’
Zeverin said he agreed to assume the defense of Pueblo Grande Baptist and its pastor, Marcelo Nieva, because he was convinced the case represents a clear abuse of religious liberty.
“I decided to defend this evangelical pastor and his church — even though I am a Roman Catholic myself — because we are dealing with an abuse of human rights,” he said. “This is increasing in Argentina with the rise of organized crime.”
Outreach ministry
Troubles surfaced in Rio Tercero several years ago after the Pueblo Grande congregation opened Transit Home for Women, a shelter for women fleeing domestic violence, substance abuse and sex trafficking.
The church’s outreach ministry angered local criminal gangs who profit from drug trafficking and prostitution, according to Nieva. He and his flock became victims of death threats, insults and a misinformation campaign. Opponents of the ministry sought to paint the Baptist church as a “cult” that “brainwashed” women and children who sought shelter at Transit Home.
One of the more serious incidents occurred Oct. 21, 2014, when unidentified gunmen sprayed Nieva’s passing car with bullets. The pastor and his passenger, Daniel Carreño, an active lay leader in the church, escaped injury in the attack.
For the greater part of their married life, the Nievas have endured constant insults in public and death threats from anonymous callers.
“It has been hard, very hard,” Nieva said. “When my wife was pregnant, we would have to leave our house and take refuge in the home of another brother for weeks at a time, or we would go stay with my parents.”
Police corruption
While the threats and violence escalated, Rio Tercero policemen looked the other way — or else joined in the harassment. Officers conducted searches of the church and Transit Home premises on the pretext of looking for “cultic” items or signs of “abuse.”
Seven local attorneys refused to defend the church or else resigned soon after being hired. Nieva attributed their reluctance to threats from criminal gangs or fear of damage to their careers.
(MS)
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