Juan Carlos Reyes Ocaña
Cuban independent journalist Juan Carlos Reyes Ocaña remains on a hunger strike he started after he was arrested Jan. 29. Ocaña is demanding the authorities drop what he says are "totally false" charges of "contempt," "disobedience," and "illegal economic activity," which could lead to a lengthy prison sentence if he is convicted.
Several dozen dissidents have joined with Reyes in sympathy strikes, including three activists one complete fasts, according to a report posted at Payo Libre. One of them, Franklin Peregrino del Toro, has been examined by a doctor after he showed signs of low blood pressure brought on by his protest.
Another dissident supporting the journalist, Reinaldo Rivera Hanzlik, said he was summoned to a police station in the town of Banes and warned he would be jailed if he continued with his "counter-revolutionary" activities.
Details of the supposed charges were not available, but whatever they are, they are certainly only a cover for the regime to try to silence yet another independent journalist. Reyes is currently out of jail, but it may be instructive to note that the "illegal economic activity" charge is similar to what reportedly has been levied against journalist/human rights activist Dr. Darsi Ferrer, imprisoned since last July but never formally charged.
(H/T to Payo Libre)
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