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The Cuban Prosecutor's Office requested a penalty of four years of corrective labor without internment for the intellectual and activist Alina Bárbara López Hernández, accused of contempt, disobedience, and assault, following her detention on June 18, 2024.
That day, López Hernández and the anthropologist and also activist Jenny Victoria Pantoja Torres were heading to Havana to participate in a peaceful protest when they were intercepted by the Police in Matanzas.
The prosecutor in the case, Ana Lilian Caballero Arango, presented a lengthy report in which she also requests a three-year substitute sentence for Pantoja for the crime of assault.
Additionally, they must pay for alleged material damages to a police officer: 650 CUP from López Hernández for the damage to her uniform, and 500 CUP from Pantoja for the replacement of the officer's hair extensions.
Alina describes the tax file as a "dramatic script" full of falsehoods, aimed at denying the political nature of the case.
In an extensive text published on Facebook, the historian denounces that both she and Pantoja were victims of police violence, which resulted in physically documented injuries, but that were not taken into account in the proceedings.
"We were the ones who were beaten, assaulted, and treated like animals. That day, I feared for my life…" recounts López Hernández, who was later diagnosed with post-traumatic labyrinthitis. Pantoja, for her part, suffered bruises to her chest after being restrained by the same officer.
In her statement, she attacks the attempt to depoliticize the case: "The prosecutor aims to strip the incident of its political nature, which is clearly evident and reveals a state that is actively preventing—through violence—the exercise of constitutional rights."
The allegations do not mention at any point that both women were on their way to exercise their right to peaceful protest.
On the contrary, they describe them as the main figures in a traffic altercation, with versions that López deems "implausible" and "absurd."
Despite having a recognized intellectual background, both are facing legal proceedings that, they claim, aim to punish their civic activism and send a deterrent message to those who question the system.
The trial does not have a date yet, but López has warned that "we will not be sitting alone in the dock: it will be the Constitution of 2019 that will once again sit as an accused party," referring to the contradiction between the rights recognized by the Constitution and their practical application under a dictatorship.
The case generated reactions among activists and human rights defenders both on and off the Island, who warn that this form of dissent criminalization undermines the international commitments made by the Cuban government.
"Dictatorships cannot disguise themselves as democracies, no matter how hard they try," stated López Hernández, making his stance on peaceful resistance towards what he considers a covert political trial clear.
The trial against the two intellectuals will take place in the People's Municipal Court of Matanzas.
"In the coming days, we will make a statement that will clarify our position regarding the sanction proposed by the Prosecutor's Office," announced Alina Bárbara.
This will not be the first time that the prominent academic finds herself in the defendant's seat.
In November 2023, she was put on trial for an alleged offense of disobedience, after she went to the central park of Matanzas in April of that year with a sign demanding the release of writer and journalist Jorge Fernández Era.
In the process, she was found guilty and sentenced to pay a fine.
Frequently asked questions about the legal situation of Alina Bárbara López Hernández and the context of human rights in Cuba
Why is the Cuban Prosecutor's Office seeking prison time for Alina Bárbara López Hernández?
The Cuban Prosecutor's Office requests four years of corrective labor for Alina Bárbara López Hernández, accused of contempt, disobedience, and assault. The arrest took place while she and another activist were on their way to a peaceful protest in Havana. López Hernández has described these charges as an attempt to punish her civic activism and deter other opponents of the Cuban regime.
What reactions has the case of Alina Bárbara López Hernández elicited among activists and human rights defenders?
The case of Alina Bárbara López Hernández has sparked reactions from activists and human rights defenders both inside and outside of Cuba, who see it as a violation of the international commitments made by the Cuban state. This type of criminalization of political dissent is viewed as an attempt to silence critical voices against the regime.
What is the context of repression against activists in Cuba?
The context in Cuba is one of ongoing repression against activists and dissenting voices, as reflected in numerous cases of arbitrary detentions, violence, and harassment. These actions aim to silence those who demand civil and political rights, as evidenced by several recent incidents reported by human rights organizations.
What actions has Alina Bárbara López Hernández taken regarding her judicial situation?
Alina Bárbara López Hernández has publicly denounced the judicial process against her as a "covert political trial" and continues to defend her stance of peaceful resistance. She has pointed out that the trial involves not only herself but also the constitutional rights recognized in the 2019 Constitution, which often contradict their practical application under the Cuban regime.
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