Madrid Spain.- Political prisoner Humberto Paz Gutiérrez received a death threat from one of the authorities at the Canaleta provincial prison in Ciego de Ávila, where he is being held for his participation in the anti-government protests on July 11, 2021 (J11).
As reported Radio Television Marti, Paz Gutiérrez, a member of the Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU), explained to his relatives: “The problem was with the officer on duty, Macías. I was making a complaint to him regarding the ‘solador’, because he says that it is compulsory, and I argued that it is an inmate’s right. So we fell into that controversy, he pushed me out, took me to the punishment cell, and in the cell he threatened to kill me, ‘that he is crazy, that he killed me and that nothing happened here’”.
In a telephone recording sent to the newsroom of Radio Television Marti, The protester also recounted that when he reported this threat to the prison director (identified as Landy), he was accused of being a “gossip.”
“(The director) threw my hand up and told me that everything is fine, and that he was going to show me the regulations, but he never showed me,” added Humberto Paz Gutiérrez.
Accused of the alleged crimes of public disorder and contempt, Paz Gutiérrez was sentenced to five years in prison, after his participation in the 11J demonstrations.
Humberto’s arrest Paz Gutierrez was condemned by the United States Government in 2021.
Via Twitter the US Embassy in Cuba stated: “Detained for saying what he thought. Instead of allowing its citizens due process and freedom of expression, the Cuban government silences them in jail.”
#JailedForWhat? #PrisonersWhy? – Humberto Paz Gutiérrez, arrested for saying what he thought. Instead of allowing its citizens due process and freedom of expression, the Cuban government silences them in jail. pic.twitter.com/ByrpPzf1xh
— Embassy of the United States in Cuba (@USEmbCuba) September 17, 2021
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