On Thursday morning, December 26, the Cuban regime released Henry Constantín, an independent journalist who had been unlawfully detained at the El Vivac detention center in the Arroyo Naranjo district of Havana. Constantín, who serves as the director of the digital outlet La Hora de Cuba and as the regional vice president for Cuba of the Inter American Press Association (IAPA), was freed without being taken to the scheduled court hearing at the Havana Provincial Court, following a Habeas Corpus appeal.
The news was confirmed by Constantín himself, who made a phone call from outside El Vivac after regaining his freedom. He had been arrested on December 19 by two State Security agents, accused of violating a supposed legal restriction on his stay in Havana, as reported by his own media outlet.
Despite being scheduled to appear for a court hearing at 9:00 am on Thursday in response to the Habeas Corpus petition filed on Monday, December 23, Constantín was not transferred to the court. Prison authorities had previously denied his transfer to Camagüey. In the days leading up to his release, La Hora de Cuba reported that the bus responsible for transferring detainees to other provinces departed on Wednesday without him.
Henry Constantín has repeatedly faced retaliatory actions due to his journalistic endeavors, including arbitrary detentions, seizure of equipment, and movement restrictions. His work has brought attention to social and political issues typically ignored by the island's official media.
This detention raised significant concerns, primarily due to the escalating repression by the Cuban regime against dissenting voices, particularly following a march held on November 20, while the nation grapples with prolonged power outages and a worsening economic crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Henry Constantín's Detention
Why was Henry Constantín detained in Havana?
Henry Constantín was detained by State Security agents on accusations of violating a legal restriction on his stay in Havana, although the details of this supposed violation remain unclear.
What role does Henry Constantín play in Cuban journalism?
Henry Constantín is the director of La Hora de Cuba and serves as the regional vice president for Cuba of the Inter American Press Association, focusing on reporting social and political issues often neglected by state media.
What was the outcome of the Habeas Corpus appeal for Constantín?
Despite the appeal, Constantín was released before being taken to the court hearing in Havana, indicating the arbitrary nature of his detention.