Cuban political prisoner Fidel Francisco Rangel Sánchez was hospitalized Jan. 22, after another inmate threw boiling water on him while he slept. Rangel's sister said she is convinced that the attacker, a convicted murderer, was doing dirty work on behalf of prison authorities.
Rangel — who is serving a 25-year sentence for an attempted plane hijacking in 2003 and while in prison has frequently denounced the Castro regime — suffered first-degree burns to his face, arms, abdomen and legs, according to Mirtha Rangel Sánchez.
"I am sure this is one more violent act ordered by the political police against political prisoners," Mirtha Rangel said.
"How is it possible that if the gates are locked, this person can come up to my brother's cell without being seen by the authorities?"
Cuban prison officials and the political police frequently order "common" prisoners — murderers, rapists and the like — to attack political prisoners. It's just another way to deliver their punishment and repression.
"I am accusing the prison authorities," Mirtha Rangel said. "I am holding the government of Raúl Castro responsible for what happened to my brother."
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