Leocenis García had been held for nearly three months for publishing a photo montage that poked fun at six female government officials.
(RSF/IFEX) – Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that Leocenis García, the editor of the weekly “Sexto Poder”, has been released conditionally after being held for nearly three months for publishing a photo montage on its front cover in August 2011 that made fun of six leading women members of the government.
García had been on hunger strike for the past two weeks to press for his release and the withdrawal of the charges against him.
“The judicial authorities have finally seen reason and granted García a conditional release,” Reporters Without Borders said. “He should never have been detained. We hope he and ‘Sexto Poder’ publisher Dinorah Girón will now be acquitted on the charges of inciting hatred, insulting officials and offending women, which bear no relation to the offending cartoon.
“The photo montage may well have been of doubtful taste but there was absolutely no question of any criminal intention towards the persons it portrayed. The court must recognize that the charges are out of all proportion,” the organisation noted.
