Cuban prosecution seeks two years imprisonment for activist Anna Bensi in Havana
The prosecution has sought two years imprisonment for Anna Bensi and two years of house arrest for her mother after the trial concluded in Havana East.
Trial in Havana East: prosecution demands imprisonment for activist and house arrest for her mother
The prosecution sought two years of deprivation of liberty for activist Anna Sofía Benítez, known as Anna Bensi, and two years of house arrest for her mother, Caridad Silvente, at the conclusion of the trial held at the Municipal Court of Havana East. This was reported by infobae.com, citing Periódico Cubano.
Following the hearing, the court modified the precautionary measure against Benítez and ordered her house arrest. Both the defence and the prosecution have a deadline to file appeals in accordance with current procedures.
Origins of the case: a citation filmed in Alamar
The facts date back to 10 March in the Alamar district, municipality of Havana East. A non-commissioned officer of the Ministry of Interior, dressed in civilian clothes, appeared at the family home with the aim of delivering a citation from State Security.
The family recorded the official's visit on video and circulated the images on digital platforms. The officer filed a complaint alleging that his privacy was violated and that he feared the consequences of his identity being exposed.
The defence of the accused rejected that interpretation. Their representatives argued that filming an official procedure inside or in front of the home constituted a protective measure given the circumstances of the visit.
Surveillance and pressure before the trial
The case attracted the attention of activists and independent organisations, who reported movement restrictions and police surveillance around the home of Benítez and Silvente prior to the hearing. They also noted that both women faced interrogations and pressure in their work environments since the start of the investigation.
Minutes before entering the courtroom, Bensi addressed the press and stated that she did not expect a "fair trial" for herself or her mother. "The trial will not be fair, but I have a just God," she declared. The 21-year-old activist likewise expressed her hope that "truth will prevail".
Religious support and international statements
A group of approximately 30 representatives from various religious associations attended court to express their support for Bensi and Silvente. The attendees sang religious hymns and spoke phrases such as "we are with you", according to the EFE news agency.
The Cuban authorities allowed both women to be accompanied during the hearing by the pastor of the Alamar congregation, Arturo Leal, and by Bárbaro Marrero, president of the Board of Directors of the Baptist Convention of Cuba.
Republican congresswoman from Florida María Elvira Salazar made statements before the trial and described the process as "a desperate act of a dying dictatorship seeking to intimidate and silence the Cuban people". "It will NOT work!", wrote Salazar, who asserted that "Anna and Caridad are not alone. The world is watching".
Status of proceedings and legal framework
With the change in precautionary measure, Benítez and her mother will remain under house arrest whilst the appeals process is resolved. The prosecution maintains its request for two years imprisonment for the activist and two years of house arrest for Silvente.
The defence announced it would appeal the decision that emerges from the proceedings. The file remains open pending a final judicial resolution.
Article 393 of the Cuban Criminal Code provides for a digital aggravating factor when the reproduction, dissemination or transmission of content is carried out via social networks or other media, both in physical and digital space.
Source: Google News CU — La Habana