“All processes are being carried out by state security,” sources consulted by ‘Cubanet’ said.
Miami, United States. – Cuban authorities have increased harassment and repressive actions against the main leaders of Cuban Freemasonry opposite to Mayker Filema Duarte, the great teacher dismissed by the high camera of the Grand Lodge of Cuba (GLC) last May.
As confirmed to Cubanet GLC sources who asked not to be identified, both the great teacher, Juan Alberto Kessel Linares, and the Sovereign Great Commander, José Ramón Viñas Alonso, are being subjected to investigative processes with precautionary measures imposed by the security of the State.
On FacebookMasonic writer Ángel Santiesteban Prats confirmed that Viñas Alonso and Kessel Linares were subject to two “criminal processes.”
“All processes are being carried out by state security,” said the sources. They also indicated that both Masonic leaders had imposed precautionary measures that limit their movements to their respective homes and work centers. In addition, this implies that both are under judicial limitations that prevent them, among other things, to leave the country.
While Kessel Linares was recently summoned by the security of the State to appear at the Picota police station, Viñas Alfonso was indicated in the Costa Unit and October 10.
Kessel Linares is accused, according to the same source, for having “passed near the Grand Lodge on Sunday, July 6, when the Masons protested there”, which allegedly violates the precautionary measure that had already been imposed on it. “For passing by, through the Grand Lodge portal, that’s why they were quoting it,” said one of the sources consulted.
According to the information obtained by Cubanetboth Masons have failed to hire lawyers because they have not received the numbers of their files.
The authorities would have prohibited both Masonic leaders “to call even meetings in the Grand Lodge of the Supreme Council”, which represents a serious limitation to their institutional functions.
Even more worrying is the fact that, according to the sources, the Ministry of Justice would be directly involved in the process against Viñas Alonso, even when the head of the branch, Óscar Silvera Martínez, declared official Cuban media that “there was no interference or anything like that” in the affairs of Freemasonry.
The new measures are produced after The arrest on July 5 by Kessel Linares and Víctor Bravo Cabañas – Great teacher and great secretary by regulatory substitution, respectively – at the Picota station. “Around 9:00 am they entered for the alleged interview, shortly after a woman dressed as a civilian came out, gave us her belongings and told us that they were going to be arrested in the unit,” he said Cubanetat that time, a Mason present in the place.
Both officials had summoned the Masonic community to attend the Great National Temple on Sunday July 6 to “defend, peacefully, but with unwavering determination, the name and legality of Cuban Freemasonry.” The call was opposed to the high camera session promoted by Filema Duarte, who was dismissed on May 25 with the support of more than 60% of the backed freemasons.
Despite its dismissal, Filema Duarte continues to be recognized by the Ministry of Justice as a great teacher. He has even issued disciplinary decrees against the lodges that supported his removal and has called illegal sessions. On July 6, the same day of the Masonic protest, he announced that he would file criminal complaints against his detractors for “threats, attempted usurpation of charge, call and illegal meeting”, among other positions.
State security has responded with an increase in pressure. “They are going against the two main leaders of all this opposition that is being lived,” explained the sources consulted by Cubanet.
In statements prior to this medium, Kessel denounced “the interference of Miriam García, director of the Registry of Associations of the Ministry of Justice, in the internal affairs of Freemasonry” and directly responsible for the civil authorities for the chaos generated: “The greatest responsibility for the shame that this attempted usurpation means accomplice or negligent expectation, ”he said.
