Communist regime in Cuba calls for up to 25 years in prison for pro-democracy protesters on July 11

U.S denounced that more than 90 protesters linked to the July 11 protests have been tried by the communist regime of Cuba, with requests for up to 25 years in prison for some, in a tweet this Thursday from the head of diplomacy for the Americas.

“Since December 13, the Cuban regime tried 90+ # 11J protesters in # Cuba. The world sees the magnitude of these injustices, “said Brian Nichols on Twitter, who denounced the request for penalties” of up to 25 years, false accusations to silence & atrocious prison conditions for peaceful protesters. “

On July 11 of this year, there were historical demonstrations on the island that resulted in one death, dozens of injuries and 1,320 people arrested, of which 698 are still in prison, according to the latest count by the human rights NGO Cubalex. .

The Cuban government, which affirms that the demonstrations were orchestrated from the United States, has not communicated any sentence, nor has it offered information on these trials.

“Cuban prosecutors have fabricated false or unjust accusations as sedition for the actions of peaceful protesters on July 11 in an attempt to silence dissidents, quell future peaceful protests and intimidate critics of the regime,” said a spokesman for the Department. of American State.

“We anticipate that the sentences will be announced in writing between 10 and 14 days after the trial, beginning between now and New Year’s Day,” he added.

In an audio received this Thursday by Cubalex and sent, a crying woman is heard saying: “The sentence has already come out, they have sentenced each one to 20 years.”

It refers, according to the organization, to Katia and Freddy Beirut, father and daughter, both accused of sedition. They were tried in the municipal court on October 10.

Cuba, where dissent is prohibited, accuses the United States of instigating and financing the riots, while US President Joe Biden referred to Cuba as “a failed state that represses its citizens.”

The island is experiencing its worst economic crisis in almost 30 years, with a serious shortage of food and medicine, as well as growing social discontent that has materialized in youth dissent.

Since July 11 and in relation to the social outbreak, Cubalex claims to have “documented the execution of 46 summary judicial processes and ordinary trials of 204 people and at least 204 others have prosecutorial requests awaiting trial.”

By November 15, another opposition march had been called on the island, but it was frustrated by fear of possible repression from the government, which blocked many activists from their homes.