Cuban singer Diana Fuentes expressed her support on Thursday for Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, and questioned the judicial process against them for recording and sharing the visit of an Interior Ministry agent to their home in Havana.
"I am fully in support of Anna and her mother. Based on what is known about the case, I believe this accusation is just an excuse to condemn them and silence a voice that disturbs those in power," Fuentes stated in a post on Facebook.
The statement came precisely this Thursday, when mother and daughter appeared before the People's Municipal Court of Havana del Este, in Cojímar, accused of "acts against personal and family privacy."
Fuentes particularly highlighted the circumstances that led to the incident: the arrival at the home of the two women of a plainclothes police officer, accompanied by another man who did not identify himself, to deliver a summons from State Security.
"Where is the safety of two women when men dressed like that come to their home, without formality, to exert authority over them? Why does documenting what happens in their own house end up becoming an accusation against them?" she questioned.
For the singer, it is "outrageous" that Bensi and his mother have had to defend themselves in court "for trying to protect themselves and document an official action."
"They deserve justice, guarantees, and freedom. And they deserve to know that they are not alone," he concluded.
A case that mobilized artists and activists
The process began after Bensi and his mother recorded and shared on social media the visit to their home by sub-officer of the Ministry of the Interior Yoel Leodán Rabaza Ramos, who later filed a complaint.
Since March 25, both had been under house arrest and were prohibited from leaving the country.
Diana Fuentes' support joined a wave of solidarity from Cuban artists and influencers, including La Diosa, Andy Vázquez, Kristoff Kriollo, Claudia Artiles, and Claudia Valdés.
Bensi arrived at the courthouse this Thursday amid applause from family and friends, accompanied by a heavy police operation that also resulted in arrests and reports of surveillance against individuals who intended to support her.
Hours later, the court found Bensi and her mother guilty and announced a sentence of two years of restriction of liberty for each.
After hearing the verdict, the young woman described the decision as "an injustice" and explained that both will now have to wait for the written sentence.
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