On Wednesday, the Cuban government released Katia Beirut, a cancer patient who had been imprisoned for her involvement in the July 11th protests in the Güinera neighborhood of Havana. The 39-year-old was granted conditional release with several restrictions, as reported by Salomé García Bacallao on Facebook.
However, Katia's father, Fredy Beirut, aged 66 and suffering from several chronic illnesses, remains incarcerated. He has been denied access to his medication, despite having been previously informed of his impending release last year. Both father and daughter were initially sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of sedition. After an appeal, her sentence was reduced to 10 years, and his to nine.
Katia, a mother of two, was among the first political prisoners from the July 11th protests to be freed this Wednesday, following negotiations between the Cuban regime, the United States, and mediation by the Vatican. Yet there is no update on her father, now 67, one of the oldest individuals still imprisoned due to the demonstrations.
In September 2022, Katia's mother sought assistance for her daughter. Her son-in-law had visited Katia in prison and found her in poor health, with a high fever and bruising, indicative of platelet loss over several days, following months of health struggles.
Fredy Beirut and his daughter were witnesses to the killing of Diubis Laurencio, the only officially recognized death resulting from the July protests. Laurencio was shot in the back by police.
Independent journalist Claudia Padrón Cueto, referencing a relative's prior post, highlighted the injustice: "Their greatest crime was witnessing the police killing of Laurencio. A black man from an underprivileged neighborhood, unarmed, who was shot. The military prosecutor claims it was self-defense, yet videos show all he had was a cellphone. Fredy and Katia witnessed it firsthand and are paying the price."
FAQs on the Release of Katia Beirut and Related Cuban Protests
What led to Katia Beirut's release?
Katia Beirut was released under conditional terms following negotiations between the Cuban government, the United States, and mediation by the Vatican.
Why is Fredy Beirut still in prison?
Fredy Beirut remains in prison despite his chronic health issues and previous indications of his release. He is still serving a reduced sentence on sedition charges.
Who was Diubis Laurencio?
Diubis Laurencio was the only officially recognized fatality from the July 11th protests in Cuba. He was shot in the back by police, an incident witnessed by Katia and Fredy Beirut.