Political prisoner Sulmira Martínez is sentenced to 5 years in prison: Regime denies access to the verdict

Cuban political prisoner Sulmira Martínez Pérez, known on social media as "Salem Cuba Censura," has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment, although the regime refuses to provide her family with a copy of the sentence, as reported by the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP).

According to the organization on Facebook, Norma Pérez Ferrer, the mother of the young woman, confirmed that the court issued the sentence after a process that lasted more than two years. However, despite the time that has passed, the family claims they have still not received the official document with the ruling, and the authorities have not provided a formal explanation.

"It has been a while since it was due... they haven't given it to her because they simply don't feel like it," stated the mother in remarks to ICLEP, referring to the regime's refusal to grant her parole, despite her claim that the deadline to do so has already expired.

Sulmira, arrested on January 10, 2023, at just 22 years old, was imprisoned after posting critical messages on social media and calling for protests. At the time, the Prosecutor's Office was seeking a sentence of up to 10 years in prison on charges of offenses against the constitutional order and contempt.

The mother also noted that the young woman was transferred on July 11 of last year to a correctional camp where the conditions are “terrible,” and she asserted that during the visits there is constant surveillance, even with watchful oversight from the sector chief, which prevents her daughter from being able to communicate freely.

"Everything is wrong... but Sulmira is still there, holding on," she said in an audio shared by the Observatory.

In its statement, ICLEP demanded an end to the harassment and criminalization of Sulmira Martínez Pérez, and called for respect for the fundamental rights of individuals imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba, including the right to express opinions, investigate, and disseminate information without fear of reprisals.