United States criticized the fabricated charges attributed to the first sentences of up to 20 years in prison for some twenty demonstrators who participated in the anti-government protests of last July 11, who seek to intimidate and suffocate future protests in the Island.
This was stated by an official from the State Department, who requested anonymity, commenting on the recent convictions, the first for sedition decreed by the Cuban Justice over last year’s protests.
“No one should face charges, no one should face imprisonment for exercising a right that is as universal in Cuba as it should be anywhere else,” said this source.
Regarding the judicial process, he considered that the Cuban officials presented “fabricated or unjust charges such as sedition” and that the “harsh prison sentences” are aimed at “stifling future peaceful protests and intimidating critics of the regime.”
On July 11, the largest anti-government protests in decades took place in Cuba, spontaneous and massive demonstrations linked to the serious economic crisis and shortage of food and other essential products that the country is going through.
“We believe that the Cuban people have every right to continue expressing their desire for freedom, and we condemn the failures of the Cuban government to protect these universal rights and respond to the most basic needs of the people,” he added.
The “justice” of the Cuban communist regime, in a ruling by the Provincial Court of Holguín (east), sentenced on Monday 20 protesters for sedition, including five minors, to between five years of limited freedom and 20 years in prison, according to the NGO Justicia 11J.
The island government did not publicly disclose these sentences and the official media have not reported on the ruling so far.
In a recent report, the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) reported the prosecution of 790 people for acts related to the July 11 protests. Of the total number of defendants, 55 are between 16 and 17 years old.
Source: Gestion
Ricardo is a renowned author and journalist, known for his exceptional writing on top-news stories. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he is known for his ability to deliver breaking news and insightful analysis on the most pressing issues of the day.
