Notes from the gulag, 10/24/07

A few quick headlines, courtesy of CubaNet:

— Political prisoners at the Kilo 5 1/2 prison in Piñar del Rio are demanding that officials provide a proper diet and other care to their compatriot Normando Hernández González , who since September has been in a Havana military hospital. "State Security agents are trying to assassinate  him," said political prisoner Nelson Molinet Espino.

— A Cuban human rights group is calling for the release of political prisoner Antonio Augusto Villarreal Acosta, who is suffering psychologically because of his imprisonment. "It is an extremely worrisome situation," said human rights activist Juan Carlos González Leiva. "It is a crime that Villarreal Acosta is in La Pendiente prison in Santa Clara. ... He is having a nervous crisis and he is being denied medicines. He is not going out to get sun. Common prisoners are psychologically torturing him, and stealing his food, towel and soap.

— And back at Kilo 5 1/2, political prisoners Eduardo Díaz Fleitas and Diosdado González Marrero are continuing their protest against poor conditions at the prison. "They are refusing to shave, and have adopted a rebellious attitude in order to reclaim their rights, said González's wife, Alejandrina de la Riva. "The water is contaminated. The food is rotten. They are denied religious assistance. And the medical care is inadequate."