They reject Habeas Corpus request in favor of Cuban writer after 200 days detained

The Provincial Court of Villa Clara rejected a appeal of Habeas Corpus in favor of the writer, independent journalist and political prisoner José Gabriel Barrenechea Chávez, who has been in preventive detention for more than 200 days.

Barrenechea Chávez was arrested and accused of public disorders for participating in a peaceful protest against the blackouts in the town of crossroads, Villa Clara, on November 7, 2024.

The family made the decision to impose this legal resource because it understands that there have been many irregularities in the process against Barrenechea Chávez, newspaper Yania Suárez told Martí News.

«A judge appeals to judge those irregularities. Of course, we all know that the Cuban justice system is subject to state security,» but we still consider that it was necessary (the Habeas Corpus appeal) «to make visible the case and force the authorities to pronounce, Suarez said.

Although there is an accusation against him, the defense lawyer does not have access to the Barrenechea Chávez file and the Prosecutor’s Office has not formulated a tax request, he added.

«The judge, at the disposal of state security, denied the appeal. That is, it seemed very good that José Gabriel was imprisoned, that there is this disproportion in his treatment,» said the journalist.

The Cubalex Legal Advice Center described as «cruel and degrading treatment», the treatment given by the prison authorities to Barrenechea Chávez, whom the authorities denied seeing their sick mother before he died.

(With Yolanda Huerga report for Radio Martí)