Nicaraguan bishop arrested after two-week standoff at Matagalpa residence

Rolando Alvarez and eight others in custody after latest clash between President Daniel Ortega and Catholic church

Heavily armed Nicaraguan police have arrested a bishop who is an outspoken critic of President Daniel Ortega's government, launching a raid after a two-week standoff at his residence in the latest blow against the Roman Catholic church in the country.

Rolando Alvarez, the bishop of Matagalpa, was detained early on Friday, along with eight others - including several priests - who had been holed up for two weeks after police blocked the bishop from reaching the city's cathedral to celebrate a mass.