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The Cuban government released Adel de la Torre Hernández, one of the rescuers who worked in the search for survivors after the explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana, who had been sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in the protests of July 11th.
The activist Salomé García Bacallao shared a photo of the young man leaving prison on Facebook and recalled that due to a mental illness he suffers from, he was on the verge of taking his own life several times while in jail.
"None of this made his jailers agree to grant him the extrapenal license he had needed for a long time," he stressed.
Adel suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and was hospitalized several times before 2021. While in prison, he was part of "the group of suicides" because he also attempted to take his own life there.
He was arrested on July 11 near Virgen del Camino and taken to the "Jóvenes del Cotorro" detention center. There, he remained for 10 days, seven of which were under enforced disappearance, until he was transferred to another prison, where he was brutally beaten by the authorities and contracted COVID.
Nearly two months later, he was released on bail until the day of the trial, which took place on September 2, 2022. During that time, he received psychiatric treatment at home and in hospitals.
"He tried to commit suicide several times because he says he was beaten so much to say that he did something he did not commit," his mother, Anayl Hernández Collado, reported to CiberCuba.
On October 17, 2022, his bail was revoked, and he was sent to Valle Grande prison, without being allowed to await his appeal at home. The authorities also did not take into account how many lives the young man helped save as a paramedic, especially during the Saratoga incidents.
His arrest occurred at the Municipal Court of Arroyo Naranjo, on the day he went to collect the verdict. Upon arrival, a police car was waiting for him.
"They took him away in handcuffs, like a criminal, a murderer. They wouldn't let me get close to the police car or give him a kiss," his mother recounted.
Frequently Asked Questions about Repression and Release in Cuba Following the Protests of July 11
Who is Adel de la Torre Hernández and why was he arrested?
Adel de la Torre Hernández is a rescuer who worked in the search for survivors after the explosion at the Saratoga hotel in Havana. He was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in the protests on July 11, 2021 (11J) in Cuba. Despite suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and the suicide attempts he made while in prison, he was not granted the necessary extrapenal license until his recent release.
What conditions did Adel de la Torre face in prison?
Adel de la Torre Hernández was subjected to inhumane conditions during his imprisonment. He was brutally beaten, experienced enforced disappearance, and contracted COVID while in prison. Additionally, due to his mental illness, he attempted to take his own life several times, joining "the group of suicides" in jail.
What has been the international response to the repression of the protests on July 11 in Cuba?
The international community has expressed concern and condemnation regarding the repression in Cuba, with calls for the release of political prisoners and sanctions against the Cuban regime. Human rights organizations have reported the systematic violations endured by detainees, including torture and medical negligence, and have urged international pressure to ensure their safety and freedom.
What impact have the recent releases of prisoners from the 11J had?
The recent releases of political prisoners, such as Adel de la Torre Hernández and Brenda Díaz, have been seen as a gesture of openness from the Cuban regime, although they do not address the structural violations of human rights on the island. These releases have occurred in a context of international pressure and negotiations with the Vatican, but critics warn that they are insufficient to tackle the widespread repression.
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