Nicolás Arroyo Ramos, a Dominican journalist, lawyer, and representative of Moca visión, has called for the release of ManHee Lee, the detained chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus.

In an article published by the Dominican news outlets El Nuevo Diario and El Sol de las Américas, Arroyo Ramos argued that, given Chairman Lee's advanced age and health condition, prolonged detention could effectively amount to a death sentence.

Commenting on Chairman Lee's detention, Arroyo Ramos said, “This case goes beyond a simple judicial procedure. Given his advanced age, progressive physical, motor, and cognitive decline, and the various health conditions he suffers from, prolonged detention could result in an outcome that is effectively equivalent to a death sentence.”

He further stressed that the court handling the case should fully take into account Chairman Lee's age and physical and mental condition in accordance with the principles of international public law.

Representative Nicolás Arroyo Ramos said, “I respectfully urge the court to give full consideration to Chairman Lee's physical and mental condition in light of his advanced age, his longstanding religious leadership, and his lifelong dedication to promoting peace both in South Korea and internationally.”

He argued that the trial should proceed under house arrest rather than pretrial detention, asserting that there is no risk of Chairman Lee fleeing.

“As there is no risk of flight, I respectfully request that the judicial proceedings be conducted under house arrest to ensure due process and to fully protect his fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, health, food, and human dignity,” he said.

Arroyo Ramos described Chairman Lee as “one of the world's most prominent peace advocates,” adding, “Through Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), the international peace organisation he founded, he has led a wide range of initiatives to promote peace worldwide and has achieved meaningful and tangible results.”

He also expressed concern that prolonged legal proceedings combined with continued detention could pose a serious threat to Chairman Lee's life. “Many people believe that subjecting him to excessively lengthy legal proceedings while in detention is effectively tantamount to a death sentence,” Arroyo Ramos said.

Source: vo.la/2VcYGbo