Cuban rapper and political prisoner Maykel Castillo Pérez, known as Maykel Osorbo, shaved his head and eyebrows as a form of protest against the abuses committed against prisoners at the 5 and a half prison in Pinar del Río. This event was reported through an audio message shared on Monday by activist Anamely Ramos, who posted the artist's message on her Facebook profile.
"I just shaved my head and plucked my eyebrows in a demand for the freedom of all political prisoners in Cuba, calling for the freedom of José Daniel Ferrer, calling for the freedom of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, demanding timely justice for the time José Daniel Ferrer has been imprisoned, demanding justice for the inmates at the five and a half prison, demanding that the inmates at five and a half are no longer mistreated, demanding that Captain Lázaro Jesús no longer instigate against me, demanding rights, demanding freedom. Meanwhile, I will continue without eyebrows and shaved to the skin, advocating for my rights and for the rights of political prisoners, but also for the rights of all the inmates at Cinco y medio who are being mistreated," Osorbo expressed in the audio.
"It is necessary for you to let all my followers know about that," concluded the artist, referring directly to Ramos, to whom he was addressing the call.
In sharing the testimony, Anamely Ramos reported that Maykel has been the target of reprisals for his previous denunciations from prison. “I am sharing a new audio from Maykel, also recorded during the last call he was able to make to me on Tuesday, September 23, right after he shaved his head and eyebrows in protest against the abuses committed against prisoners in the 5 and a half prison. Maykel knew that I was taking a risk by sharing it, but he spoke about what he could so that it could be heard from his punishment cell. So here I leave you the audio, the clear audio, since on Tuesday Maykel is completely shaved and eyebrow-less due to an act of defiance.”
Ramos directly blamed the prison authorities and State Security for the reported abuses. "The blame is not on Maykel; the blame lies with a dictatorial regime that continuously deforms other human beings. The blame is on you, who commit crimes against humanity every day. Be careful not to lay a finger on Maykel Osorbo! You are the criminals, and one day you will be judged as such; don’t make your situation worse," he wrote.
This new protest action by Osorbo comes after several reports of harassment and attempts to provoke him in prison, such as the one reported on September 7 by Anamely Ramos, who warned about a maneuver to isolate him and incite conflicts inside the prison.
On August 27, the activist revealed that the regime accused him of "damaging social property" following an altercation instigated by another inmate, in a context that was also interpreted as part of a strategy to unjustly extend his sentence.
Maykel Castillo is serving a nine-year sentence for alleged offenses of "contempt, assault, and public disorder." His imprisonment has been condemned by international organizations, which recognize him as a prisoner of conscience and have called for his immediate release.
Frequently asked questions about Maykel Osorbo's situation in prison
Why did Maykel Osorbo shave his head and eyebrows in prison?
Maykel Osorbo shaved his head and eyebrows as a form of protest against the abuses committed in the 5 y Medio prison in Pinar del Río. This act was a demand for the freedom of all political prisoners in Cuba, including figures like José Daniel Ferrer and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, and a denunciation of the mistreatment suffered by inmates.
What does the Cuban regime accuse Maykel Osorbo of?
Maykel Osorbo is serving a nine-year sentence for alleged crimes of contempt, assault, and public disorder. The Cuban regime has accused him of "damage to social property" following an incident in prison, in which he tore the clothing of an inmate who attacked him. International organizations have recognized Maykel as a prisoner of conscience.
What is the current situation of Maykel Osorbo in the Pinar del Río prison?
Maykel Osorbo is in a punishment cell at the 5 y Medio prison in Pinar del Río. He has been subjected to reprisals and provocations, and faces a hostile environment to increase his sentence. Despite the difficult conditions, he continues to be a voice of resistance against the Cuban regime.
What has activist Anamely Ramos reported about the case of Maykel Osorbo?
Anamely Ramos has reported the inhumane conditions and the repression that Maykel Osorbo faces in prison. She has held the Cuban authorities responsible for any harm that the artist may suffer and has demanded direct communication to confirm his health status. Ramos is a key figure in the international denunciation of the situation of Osorbo and other political prisoners in Cuba.
What do international organizations say about the imprisonment of Maykel Osorbo?
International organizations have condemned the imprisonment of Maykel Osorbo, recognizing him as a prisoner of conscience. These organizations demand his immediate release, arguing that his detention is arbitrary and politically motivated, in response to his activism and opposition to the Cuban regime.
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