The Office of the Attorney General of the Republic has the duty to continue informing the people and international public opinion of the legal response given to the serious events that occurred on July 11, 2021, which threatened the constitutional order and stability of our socialist state.
As has been explained, these events occurred within a particularly complex context of world economic crisis, aggravated by an unprecedented pandemic that has taken the lives of many Cubans, and the intensification of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States government against our country, which continues, unsuccessfully, its efforts to destroy the Revolution.
In a tendentious manner, media manipulation continues with attempts to accuse Cuba of human rights violations, in an effort to delegitimize the criminal proceedings initiated to investigate criminal conduct, in accordance with laws currently in effect.
The Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, as part of its mission, has verified compliance with respect for constitutional rights and guarantees of due process, and closely monitored investigations conducted by Ministry of the Interior bodies, guaranteeing the right to defense, with lawyers provided access to evidence and proceedings.
Once the investigation was concluded, the Attorney General's Office received 117 preparatory phase files regarding the most significant events, involving 790 persons charged with acts of vandalism, assault on authorities, persons and property, as well as serious disturbances of the public order. Twenty-one percent of these persons had criminal records.
Of these, 110 cases have been submitted to the courts, with 710 defendants to be tried, 69% of whom are being held under the precautionary measure of provisional incarceration.
Of the total number of defendants in these cases, 115 are between 16 and 20 years of age. The decision was made to take criminal action before the courts against them, given the seriousness of the acts committed and their proven participation:
Fifty-five are between 16 and 18 years of age, of whom 28 are being held under the precautionary measure of pre-trial detention. Based on the options offered by the law and as a result of the presentation of evidence in oral proceedings, their acknowledgement of the facts, repentance shown and their condition as students, the Attorney General's Office modified the sentence request for 18 of these defendants, proposing sanctions of lesser severity.
Sixty are between 19 and 20 years of age, of which 41 are being held in provisional incarceration.
The decision of the Attorney General's Office to maintain these accusations before the courts, in all cases, was based on evidence provided, which included statements by witnesses and victims, expert analysis of videos published in different media and others confiscated, which allowed the identification of the accused committing acts which constitute the crimes of public disorder, instigation to delinquency, damage, robbery with force and violence, assault, sabotage and sedition.
The decision to charge defendants with the crime of sedition, despite the severe sentences implied, reflects the level of violence demonstrated in the vandalism committed, recklessly causing injuries and endangering the lives of citizens, officials and members of the forces of order, attacking them with sharp, blunt and incendiary objects, creating a serious disturbance of the public order with the deliberate purpose of subverting the constitutional order.
In different localities, official institutions, hospitals, exchange houses (Cadeca), commercial establishments and fuel stations were stoned; many, as a consequence of the violence generated, were looted and goods were stolen, causing considerable damage; also means of transportation were attacked, overturned and damaged.
The penalties requested by the Attorney General's Office are commensurate with the seriousness of the acts, the level of participation and the damage caused to society.
As a result of the 84 trials conducted, the Attorney General's Office has been notified of 44 rulings by the courts in which 172 defendants were sanctioned, who are ensured of the right to file appeals.
Minors under 16 years of age in Cuba are not subject to criminal law. During the investigations, participation was verified of 27 underage individuals, in whose cases established legal measures were taken. Ten were assigned to comprehensive behavior remediation schools, given their involvement with adults in the commission of these acts, while 17 are receiving individualized attention in the National Education System schools they attend.
The Attorney General's Office, in accordance with its constitutional responsibility, responded to 508 citizens who requested information on these criminal proceedings and processed 238 complaints or petitions. Attorneys interviewed the persons and verified information reported, which was added to the criminal investigation. The results were personally explained by attorneys to those filing complaints, providing the legal arguments in each case.
The Attorney General's Office of the Republic reiterates that it will act in accordance with its constitutional mandate, within the framework of legality, in compliance with due process, the protection of the interests of the state and respect for the rights of all citizens.