The Cuban nun Sor Nadieska Almeida expressed her support this Wednesday for Anna Sofía Benítez Silvente, known as Anna Bensi, and her mother, Caridad Silvente, ahead of the trial scheduled for this Thursday, and urged Christians to accompany them with prayer and physical presence.
The message, titled “Christians in communion,” was shared by the Cuban priest . In the text, Almeida described the process as a “unjust trial” and urged that the support for mother and daughter be made visible.
It is all about BEING, SUPPORTING, ACCOMPANYING, making our unity and all the support visible for those who have placed their complete trust in that good God who has the final word at all times,” he wrote.
The religious woman also affirmed that, as a Catholic and consecrated individual, she raises her voice in solidarity with both.
"I assure you of my prayers and publicly express my deep admiration for your nobility and integrity," he stated.
The statement comes just hours before Anna Bensi and her mother appear before a court on October 1, after a hearing originally scheduled for September 17 was postponed.
Mother and daughter remain under house arrest and are prohibited from leaving the country.
Both are accused of “acts against personal and family privacy” after recording and posting on social media the visit of agents from the Ministry of the Interior who came to their home to deliver a summons from State Security.
The process began in March. Then, Cubalex legally challenged the charges and argued that recording public officials in the performance of their duties constitutes a citizen's right.
The organization also stated that the alleged crime required a direct complaint from the person who was considered to be affected.
The case was initially filed away following that defense argument, led by attorney Roberto Ortega Ortiz, but it was reopened in July when MININT subordinate Yoel Leodán Rabaza Ramos personally filed a complaint.
According to Bensi, the agent claims to have felt offended by the comments posted after the video was released and demands that mother and daughter record a public apology.
The young woman also stated that the complainant's lawyer is requesting two years of restricted freedom for each of them.
At the brink of the trial, Anna Bensi reiterated that she does not intend to stop her publications. “I am not going to be silent”, she stated this Monday, and affirmed that she would record and publish the video that started the proceedings again.
The support from Sor Nadieska Almeida joins the statement made by religious organizations. The Western Cuba Baptist Convention publicly expressed its solidarity with both and demanded respect for due process, freedom of expression, religious freedom, and their dignity.
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