CASE UPDATE: Camagüey Activists Charged with Resistance, Excessively Fined After Peaceful Protests Held 7 Months Prior

​On Monday, August 30, four activists, Marisol Peña Cobas, Adrián Quesada Flores, Leyanis Heredia and Yasmanis Suárez, were summoned before the Municipal People’s Court of Camagüey and tried for alleged crimes of “resistance” after distributing printed materials earlier this year.
 
On February 27, the activists along with other members of the Libertarian Opposition distributed printed materials in Mendez Plaza, Camagüey, near an MLC store. The activists, simply expressing their freedom to peacefully protest, were met by State Security and PNR police, who quickly came down on the activists, beating them and detaining those involved. Nearly 7 months later, four of the activists were summoned and tried on short notice.

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​Camagüey activists Adrián Quesada Flores and Leyanis Heredia were fined nearly 2,000 CUP each for their involvement, and Marisol Peña Cobas fined 3,000 CUP, for handing out printed materials and shouting slogans related to their protest.
 
One of the activists charged during the trial, Marisol Peña Cobas, spoke with a GLA legal expert close to the case, and noted the accused were given no opportunity to obtain a state lawyer or bring witnesses for their defense in a totally rigged process.
 
GLA’s legal expert noted after the trial, “The fine was harsh because they only exercised their right to protest, and because it’s stipulated in the Constitution, they shouldn’t be fined. Plus, they did not engage in violence of any kind.”