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The former Cuban judge Melody González Pedraza, known for her involvement in high-profile legal cases in Cuba, will remain detained in the United States at the end of the year.
The information was disclosed by Martí Noticias journalist Mario J. Pentón, who also confirmed that González Pedraza's final court hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2025.
A former judge in the courts of Villa Clara province, González arrived in the United States in May under the Humanitarian Parole program. However, immigration authorities denied her entry because she was included on a list of oppressors, which led her to apply for political asylum.
During his detention at the Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach, Florida, González has reported irregularities in the Cuban judicial system, claiming pressures from the Communist Party and State Security in judicial decision-making.
In July 2024, she filed a complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, requesting an investigation into these practices and protection in case she is deported to the island.
González Pedraza has also expressed her regret for having sentenced four young Cubans in a trial that, according to her, lacked procedural guarantees.
These young people were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the properties of regime officials in Encrucijada, Villa Clara, in November 2022.
The former judge admitted that the sentences were handed down under coercion and without sufficient evidence, and she has advocated for the release of the convicted individuals.
Despite her efforts to secure legal representation in the United States, González has faced challenges in finding a lawyer to defend her in her asylum case.
His hearing was scheduled for July 31, 2024; however, by that date, he had not managed to present the necessary documents or secure adequate legal counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arrest of Former Cuban Judge Melody González in the U.S.
Why is Melody González detained in the United States?
Melody González is detained in the United States because she was denied entry into the country due to her inclusion on a list of repressors. She arrived in the U.S. under the Humanitarian Parole program, but immigration authorities prevented her from entering, leading her to seek political asylum.
What accusations is Melody González facing in Cuba?
In Cuba, Melody González has been accused of issuing sentences under duress and without sufficient evidence, particularly in the case of four young individuals sentenced for throwing Molotov cocktails in Villa Clara. She herself has admitted that the sentences were handed down under pressure from the Communist Party and State Security.
What has Melody González reported about the Cuban judicial system?
Melody González has reported that the Cuban judicial system is influenced by political decisions and external agents such as the Communist Party and State Security. She has requested that the UN investigate these practices and provide protection in the event she is deported to Cuba.
How has Melody González been treated during the asylum process in the U.S.?
Melody González has faced difficulties in finding a lawyer to represent her in her asylum process in the U.S. She has complained about being treated like a "vile criminal" and has expressed her frustration over not having adequate legal representation for her hearing.
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