Persecution in Cuba: Dictatorship launches trial of young influencer for criticizing regime

A Havana court is scheduled to hold a hearing on Monday Sulmira MartinezA Cuban influencer was sentenced to 10 years in prison for maintaining contacts with dissidents abroad, attempting to organize a demonstration, and publishing comments critical of the government.

In the document from the prosecutor's office, Martinez – 22 years old – is charged with contempt and a crime against the constitutional order.

The petition was signed on April 15, 15 months after his arrest. The young woman has spent this period in a makeshift prison between detention centers Villa Marista is a state preserve and the West Women's Jail.

According to the prosecutor, Martínez began his critical activity in the networks between the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, which was detected by the information analysis directorate of the Institute of Information and Social Communication (IICS).

He was accused of creating two anonymous profiles on the social network Facebook, where he wrote phrases such as “No dialogue with the dictatorship”. Attack them, crush them as they crush you', 'It's time to rise up against those who are starving our children' and 'Take to the streets until we win. Homeland and Life'.

Also, he made derogatory remarks about Cuba's dictator on three occasions. Miguel Diaz-CanelAs filed by the Attorney's Office.

In addition, the brief continues, the accused created a group on the WhatsApp messaging application in which he suggested planning “another July 11” in reference to the largest anti-government protests recorded on the island in 2021, but this was not the case. Any type of concrete is made.

Despite being included in the 2019 constitution, Cuba has prosecuted many people for their activity on social networks, as reported by various NGOs that criticize that freedom of expression is not guaranteed on the island.

In June, the NGO Prisoners are guards Report a Increasing repression in Cuba caused that 19 new arrests in recent weeks. Total number of political prisoners in the island 1,113.

Karen Herrera, legal director of the NGO, said Infobay “11 people were arbitrarily detained and in violation of all methods for participating in the demonstrations in Cienfuegos of the population of Juragua on May 28, in one of the consecutive blackouts that woke up for more than 14 hours without electricity service and nothing less than 27. Days of lack of water.

“We are pursuing other cases 1,113 political prisonersThey are still on the list 30 youths They were arrested and imprisoned when they were minors: 27 of them are still serving sentences, and three are still in criminal proceedings with preventive measures without any judicial protection. Besides, 117 womenIncluding both minors and transgender people, are currently still in political prison or sentenced and severely threatened with restrictions on domestic freedom. All transsexuals in prison of conscience are imprisoned with all that is among men, just like those in prison for common crimes.“Herrera told this medium.

He then asserted that the organization had identified 1,113 political prisoners.305 with serious medical illnessesWithout adequate medical treatment, malnutrition, abuse, oppressive environment and lack of care have proven to be the cause. We document ill-treatment, abuse and torture and escalate it to the most vulnerable group in prison.. People with mental disabilities and mental and emotional disabilities are kept in the normal prisons where they are Harassed, insulted and beaten by officers in their charge.”

(with information from EFE)