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The People's Municipal Court of Holguín held an exemplary oral trial for the alleged crimes of embezzlement and receipt of thousands of tons of soy flour, processed under Circular 206 of 2003 from the President of the Supreme People's Court.
According to reported by the Provincial Court of Holguín, the case is related to Preparatory Phase File 29 of 2023 from the Provincial Unit of Criminal Investigation and Operations of Holguín.
The note indicates that the events took place on January 10, 2024, when the driver of a truck with license plate B 088831, belonging to the Military Construction Company number 2 of Holguín, was tasked with safeguarding a load transported from Santiago de Cuba to the Holguín Feed Factory.
According to the publication, the driver —“in coordination with three other citizens”— diverted from the destination and headed to a residence in Cruce del Coco, Holguín municipality.
Already at the site, they had unloaded onto a tarpaulin 4,380 tons of soybean flour and 33 bags of the product, until they were caught by a police operation.
The report adds that, during the intervention, 4,560 tons of the product were seized in the truck, "in addition to the aforementioned," and those involved were apprehended on the spot.
The statement claims that the judicial act was carried out “respecting” the accused their legal and procedural rights outlined in the criminal and procedural legislation currently in force in Cuba.
According to the same text, three defendants were penalized as perpetrators of the crime of misappropriation, as stipulated in Article 424.2.3 b) of Law 151/2022 (Penal Code), with a penalty framework of 3 to 8 years of imprisonment.
Likewise, an accused individual was sanctioned for receiving stolen goods, as stipulated in article 425.3 of the same Penal Code, with a penalty range of 6 months to 2 years of imprisonment.
The report indicates that the parties may file an appeal against the ruling before the First Criminal Chamber of the Provincial People's Court of Holguín.
The publication states that this type of trial serves a “prophylactic and preventive” function for individuals with “criminal potential” and that it helps combat a “scourge” regarded as highly sensitive for families and communities.
In Santiago de Cuba, a recent landmark trial came to light where nine defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six months to two and a half years for theft during Hurricane Melissa in the eastern region last October.
In the first trial, six citizens were found guilty of attempted theft and sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to nine months.
The suspects were discovered in the early morning of October 29, after breaking into La Molinera Fábrica Frank País García, taking advantage of the collapse of an exterior wall, and stealing 111.2 kilograms of flour sweepings for animal feed. Officers from the Special Brigade, who were guarding the facility, apprehended them.
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