The Cuban political prisoner Yoanky Báez Albornoz, sentenced to 14 years of imprisonment for his involvement in the July 11, 2021, protests, was beaten last Tuesday by officers at Combinado del Este prison, according to a fellow inmate.
In an audio recording shared on Facebook by human rights activist Ángel Moya Acosta, inmate Ángel Castro Cabrera recounted that around 7:20 AM on May 14, Báez was subjected to violence by uniformed officers identified as Bryan and Jancarlos at the prison in Havana.
The prisoner, part of company 1301, highlighted Báez's ordeal and labeled members of the Ministry of the Interior as "abusers and torturers," emphasizing one of the repressive organs of the Castro dictatorship.
In response, Daimy Albornoz Rodríguez, the mother of the condemned, told Martí Noticias that the aggression occurred on the day her son's company was supposed to go out to the courtyard for sunlight. She mentioned that one of the guards could even face trial in a military court.
Details of the Incident
"It was his company's turn to go to the courtyard, and when they opened the gate and said 'Company, courtyard,' my son went out, but the guard told him 'not you, you stay here,' and my son refused," Albornoz elaborated.
She added that the officer's threat to take him to the headquarters was met with Báez's defiance: "Take me wherever you want because I'm not afraid and I haven't committed any crime."
"When my son started walking, the officer followed him, and a prisoner warned him 'Yoanky, be careful!' When my son turned around, the guard slapped him. The first slap missed, but on the second attempt, the guard hit my son in the face," Albornoz recounted. Other inmates then began shouting "Freedom, freedom! Homeland and Life!" in solidarity, with the entire building joining in the chants.
Báez was arrested following his participation in the peaceful summer 2021 protests at the Toyo Corner in the Diez de Octubre municipality of Havana.
Mothers of July 11th Political Prisoners Speak Out
Less than a week ago, a group of mothers of July 11th political prisoners published an open letter urging the release of their sons and warning regime authorities that they will continue to denounce the injustices that plague their lives.
"Through this call, we make it clear that no threat or pressure will silence our feelings or deter us from our mission as mothers. We carry our voices as a banner, driven by the love for our children and the conviction of their innocence," they stated in the letter.
Known as the "Mothers of July 11th," they called for solidarity from their compatriots and the international community, defending the innocence of the over 1,000 peaceful protesters who were tried and imprisoned for demanding their rights and freedoms.
"They are good men and women, innocent and dignified Cubans, whose only crime was to exercise their right to free expression in pursuit of a just cause: a better Cuba with liberty and human rights for all. However, their voices were silenced in the worst manner, through extreme military orders that turned a peaceful protest into a violent confrontation," they declared.
As the third anniversary of these historic protests approaches, thousands of Cuban families continue to suffer the pain caused by the repression of a totalitarian regime against peaceful demonstrators.
Understanding the Repression of July 11th Protesters
This section addresses common questions and provides insights into the repression faced by July 11th protesters and the ongoing impact on their families.
Who is Yoanky Báez Albornoz?
Yoanky Báez Albornoz is a Cuban political prisoner sentenced to 14 years for his involvement in the July 11, 2021, protests.
What happened to Báez in prison?
Báez was beaten by prison officers identified as Bryan and Jancarlos in Combinado del Este prison.
Who are the "Mothers of July 11th"?
The "Mothers of July 11th" are a group of mothers of political prisoners from the July 11, 2021, protests, who advocate for their sons' release and denounce the injustices they face.