The Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Holguín confirmed that it keeps in provisional prison the young Cubans Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayaz Pérez, content creators linked to the independent digital space El4tico, who were recently detained in that eastern province.
In an official statement released this Thursday on the social network Facebook, the Prosecutor's Office reported that it is overseeing a criminal process initiated to investigate alleged crimes of "propaganda against the constitutional order" and "incitement to commit crimes", related to publications made from the platform.
According to the statement, the authorities claim that content was disseminated from El4tico that allegedly "incites the people, members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the Ministry of the Interior to alter the constitutional order of the Republic of Cuba," in addition to defaming the actions of political and social institutions in the country.
Provisional detention precautionary measure
Under the Criminal Procedure Law, the Prosecutor's Office has secured both defendants with a precautionary measure of provisional detention while the investigative proceedings continue.
“Investigation procedures are being carried out for the submission of evidence and the completion of the inquiries,” the note states.
The institution added that, once the investigations are completed, it will make the appropriate procedural decisions.
Case under international attention
The detention of Medina and Zayaz Pérez has raised concern both within and outside Cuba, especially among organizations that advocate for press freedom, which have reported an increase in repression against independent media and critical content creators.
Days earlier, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had demanded the immediate release of both youths and raised concerns about the role of alternative communicators in a country where access to independent information is limited.
Prosecutor's Office affirms respect for "due process."
In its statement, the Provincial Prosecutor's Office asserted that it will ensure the adherence to due process and legal guarantees.
"With respect to the rights and guarantees enshrined in the Constitution and laws, the Prosecutor's Office will ensure compliance with due process," he assured.
The case adds to a long list of legal proceedings in Cuba against activists, independent journalists, and citizens accused of crimes related to public expression, in a context of increasing state control over the digital space.
Filed under: