Oscar Echevarría and Cleidys García remain detained after protest in Sancti Spíritus

Oscar Echevarría Rubio and his wife, Cleidys García, remain under arrest at the Provincial Criminal Investigations and Operations Unit (UPICO) in Sancti Spíritus following the artist’s October 10 protest.

Prosecutors ordered pretrial detention while the investigation and preparation of the criminal case proceed on a contempt charge. The case investigator informed the family of the measure.

Echevarría climbed onto the roof of his home and shouted slogans against the government. His niece, Aitana Echevarría, joined him during the protest. A State Security operation interrupted the demonstration and ended with the detention of Echevarría and García.

The Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press called for Echevarría Rubio’s immediate release and said the arrest occurred because he peacefully exercised freedom of expression.