(RSF/IFEX) – On 9 December 1997, Odalys Curbelo Sanchez, correspondent for the Cuba Press news agency in Pinar del Rio, was taken in for questioning by two counter-espionage agents and two State Security agents. After presenting Curbelo with an official document accusing him of “spreading information to foreign enemy radio stations, of illegally practising his […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 9 December 1997, Odalys Curbelo Sanchez,
correspondent for the Cuba Press news agency in Pinar del Rio,
was taken in for questioning by two counter-espionage agents and
two State Security agents. After presenting Curbelo with an
official document accusing him of “spreading information to
foreign enemy radio stations, of illegally practising his
profession and of spying”, the agents threatened him with ten
years in prison. The agents also stated that they were preparing
charges against Curbelo for “enemy propaganda”.
According to the agents, the journalist was carrying out his
spying activities by photographing prisons in the region as well
as vandalised posters of Pope John-Paul II.
The agents also banned Curbelo from meeting other dissidents on
10 December, International Human Rights Day,
Recommended Action
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well as threats made against him attacks on press freedom
can practise their profession freely
Appeals To
His Excellency Fidel Castro
President
Havana, CubaDr Juan Escalona Reguera
Attorney General
San Rafael 3, La Habana, Cuba
Fax: +53 7 333164Roberto Robaina Gonzalez
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Calzada No. 360
Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Fax: + 53 7 333085 / 335261 / 333460General Abelardo Colome Ibarra
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Plaza de la Revolucion
Havana, Cuba
Fax: + 53 7 33 5261 (attn: Ministro del Interior)c/o the Cuban Mission at the United Nations
New York NY 10016, United States
Fax: +1 212 779 1697
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
