Yoelkis Rosabal, Ricardo Pelier Frómeta, and Ernesto Darian Dufuss, staged a peaceful protest at Rosabal's home to demand the release of Yohannes Arce Sarmiento, a young law student and a fellow member of the UNPACU.
The three young men were arrested on May 15, 2014 by officers of the State Security and the riot squad. Agents violently entered the house, breaking the furniture, after a paramilitary known as Dioni Iren Perez had thrown a burning bottle where many people and military were gathered to facilitate the arrest of UNPACU activists.
Initially, the three were charged with attempted murder, for allegedly throwing a molotov cocktail at a State Security Agent. The defendants and several witnesses have denied this accusation. Because these charges were inconsistent, the prosecutor amended the cause, accusing them of public disorder.
After more than five months of detention, the trial took place. Yoelkis Rosabal was sentenced to four years in prison, where his wife was prohibited from visiting him. They also threatened to transfer him to prison in Camagüey.
Rights Abused
- Civil and Political Rights
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Right to effective legal remedy
Freedom of assembly
Freedom of opinion and expression
Inviolability of the home
Right not to be arbitrarily detained
Right of detainees and prisoners to be taken promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial functions
- Perpetrator
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Police
State security agents
BRLC/19
