Relatives of the five young people sentenced for their participation in the popular protest in Caimanera on May 6, 2023, reported that the sentences have been appealed.
These verdicts, issued by the Municipal People's Court of Niceto Pérez in the province of Guantánamo, were challenged last week, as confirmed by the families of the detainees, reported Martí Noticias.
Daniel Álvarez González was sentenced to eight years in prison for incitement to commit a crime and public disorder. Luis Miguel Alarcón Martínez and Freddy Sarquis González received seven-year sentences for the same charges. Rodolfo Álvarez González was sentenced to four years in prison for public disorder, while Felipe Octavio Correa Martínez was sentenced to two years for the crime of assault.
Victoria Martínez Valdivia, mother of Luis Miguel and Felipe Octavio, expressed her concern for the health of Felipe Octavio, who has an intellectual disability.
According to what he said, he is in precarious conditions and is desperate to get out of the Guantanamo Provincial Combined Prison.
The lady explained that she recently spoke with her son, who is in a very critical situation and is nervous. Felipe asked her to help him get out of prison, showing obvious distress about his current situation.
Martínez mentioned that he already filed an appeal last week and is now waiting for a response within the ten-day period established for making the appeal. He expressed his uncertainty about how to help his son, given the state of desperation he is in.
"I spoke with Luis Miguel, he told me that he had sent a paper to his brother to find out why he hadn't heard from him since Friday, they are in the same place but on different floors, they have seen each other on the occasions I have gone and I have managed to get them to put both of them on the line so I can bring them food," pointed out the mother of the political prisoners, hopeful that all the irregularities committed by the regime will come to light in the appeal.
He reported that, in the case of his son Luis Miguel, he initially received a six-year sentence request from the prosecution, but during the trial, the sentence was raised to seven years.
Regarding Felipe, he mentioned that a police officer testified verbally in front of those present, stating that he had shown no aggression nor caused any harm. Martínez believed that the situation was unfair and that a serious mistake had been made in the judgment of his son.
On May 6, 2023, a crowd in Caimanera took to the streets to demand respect for their rights, shouting phrases like "Homeland and Life," "Freedom," and "Long live human rights," gathering in front of the Municipal Government and the Communist Party headquarters. The authorities' response was violent, deploying special troops and cutting off internet access in much of the country.
International organizations have criticized the Cuban government for its response to the protest in Caimanera, pointing out the use of excessive force and physical violence. Amnesty International and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have condemned the arbitrary detentions and the pattern of repression in Cuba, demanding the release of the arrested protesters.
Initially, the trial against the protesters was scheduled to take place on April 2nd, with a hearing to be held at 9:00 am in the Municipal Court of the Guantanamo municipality of Niceto Pérez.
However, the regime suspended the trial "until further notice" without providing any additional details.
Recently, it was revealed that the Cuban government imposed harsh sentences on the young participants in the popular protest that took place in the Guantanamo town of Caimanera.
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