The Cuban regime unveiled details on Wednesday regarding the arrest of a man accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Santiago de Cuba. The Facebook page "Héroes del Moncada," affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior, reported that the arrest occurred around 8:00 am on Wednesday. The police had to fire a shot to disperse the crowd that sought to lynch the alleged criminal.
"Combined forces of the Ministry of the Interior acted swiftly to detain the perpetrator of a rape in Reparto Chicharrones, whom local residents and passersby attempted to 'lynch' in a hasty bid to take justice into their own hands," the post detailed.
According to the page, "a preventive warning shot was necessary to disperse the crowd that lunged at the detainee with the intent to assault him," the publication stated.
Earlier in the morning, a video surfaced showing the arrest of the man, nicknamed “Timba,” in the El Polvorín neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba. The footage—shared by journalist Yosmany Mayeta—though of low quality and recorded from a distance, captured how the number of onlookers quickly grew just before the suspect was taken into a patrol car.
"I didn't realize so many people lived in El Polvorín," remarked the person recording the video, referring to the rapidly forming crowd.
Although the video does not clearly show the incident, it appears that some people managed to hit the suspect, who is accused of raping a teenage girl between the ages of 14 and 15 on Tuesday night. The victim is currently hospitalized. "Look, they're hitting him, they're hitting him," can be heard in the video. The police eventually fired a shot to disperse the mob and prevent the possible lynching of the alleged rapist, who was on leave from prison, where he is serving a sentence for a prior rape conviction.
Key Information on the Alleged Sexual Assault in Santiago de Cuba
In light of the recent arrest in Santiago de Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions to provide clarity on the situation.
Who is the alleged assailant?
The alleged assailant, known by the nickname "Timba," is accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Santiago de Cuba.
What actions did the police take during the arrest?
The police fired a warning shot to disperse the crowd that was attempting to lynch the alleged criminal.
What was the public's reaction during the arrest?
The public reacted aggressively, attempting to take justice into their own hands by trying to lynch the suspect.
Is the suspect already serving a sentence?
Yes, the suspect was on leave from prison, where he is serving a sentence for a prior rape conviction.