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Legal Action
February 27
Rafael Solano, Havana Press, IMPRISONED, LEGAL ACTION
Solano, president of the independent news agency Havana Press, was arrested by state security on charges of alleged “association with persons with the intent to commit a crime.” A request by his lawyer to free him on bail was denied by Cuban State Security even though, according to his lawyer, there were no legal grounds for his imprisonment. During Solano's detention, his health deteriorated seriously. He lost a considerable amount of weight and was running a high fever. On March 12, CPJ wrote to President Fidel Castro to express its concern about the continued incarceration of Solano and the pattern of harassment against Cuba's independent journalists. On April 8, a day after the New York Times ran an article on his case and the challenges facing the Cuban independent press, Solano was freed but the case against him was still pending. CPJ sent another letter to President Castro, welcoming the release but urging him to drop the charges against Solano and to close the case. Solano said that upon his release from jail he was given an ultimatum; emigrate or face a possible prison sentence. On May 8, he left Cuba for exile in Spain.
For more information contact americasweb@cpj.org