Cuban Independent Journalist Condemns Prison Abuse Upon Release
By Cuban Democratic Directorate

Independent journalist and former political prisoner Armando Betancourt Reina before his arrest in 2006. Directorio Democrático Cubano.

Camagüey, August 20^th 2007. Cuban Independent journalist Armando Betancourt Reina was released from prison today after serving a 15 month sentence on charges of alleged “public disorder.” Betancourt Reina had been held in Cerámica Roja Prison in Camagüey since his arrest on May 23, 2006 while witnessing a forced eviction that took place in the city’s La Guernica area.

“This 15 month imprisonment has been an important experience. Although it might not have caused me psychological damage because it was a short time, it was a time where I was able to experience firsthand the situation and living conditions of Cuba’s prisoners, especially the human rights violations committed in Cuban prisons today,” stated Betancourt Reina on Radio Republica.

The independent journalist underwent trial on February 8, 2007 but the proceeding was inconclusive and suspended. His sentence was upheld in a later trial on July 3 in the People’s Municipal Tribunal of Camagüey. He was to be released upon completion.

“Guards continue beating prisoners, and they do it in such a way that other prisoners do not see it, so that it will not become known around the world. They take them out of the cell block and take them to a separate location. They beat them, take them to isolation cells and return them to the cell blocks when their bruises are gone. I was there and lived it. I can confirm that human rights are being violated in Cuban prisons now as they always have been” stated the independent journalist and former political prisoner upon his release.

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Directorio Democrático Cubano
P.O. Box 110235
Hialeah, Florida 33011
Tel. 305-220-2713
info@directorio.org

In Memory of Mario Manuel de la Peña