Four young Cubans sentenced to prison by Judge Melody González Pedraza, who is currently in the United States seeking political asylum, will have the opportunity to appeal their sentences next month. The Provincial Court of Villa Clara accepted the appeal this week for the sentences handed down against four Cubans under the age of 30, accused of assault.
The defendants, who were tried by the Municipal Court of Encrucijada presided over by González Pedraza, will have another chance to defend themselves in a hearing scheduled for August 9 at 9:00 am in the State Security Crimes Chamber of the Provincial Court. The document obtained by Martí Noticias states that "all the evidence presented in the first trial will be reproduced," and the testimonies of witnesses, including a captain, a first lieutenant, and a lieutenant colonel from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), as well as a civilian, will be taken into account.
The sentence, signed by Judge González Pedraza on May 8, 2024, condemns Andy Gabriel González Fuentes, Eddy Daniel Rodríguez Pérez, and Luis Ernesto Medina Pedraza to four years in prison, and Adain Barreiro Pérez to three years. They were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of police chiefs and regime officials in Encrucijada on November 18, 2022. Their families claim that the process was manipulated by State Security, similar to the cases of the July 11 protesters, and was based on statements from regime agents without due process guarantees.
The other two judges involved in the process were Marlenis Toriza Rivero and Ana Ivis Rodríguez Rodríguez. Less than a month after signing the sentence, González Pedraza traveled to the United States with humanitarian parole. However, upon arriving at Tampa International Airport, immigration authorities denied her entry due to her repressive history in Cuba, prompting her to seek political asylum. She is now in a detention center in Pompano Beach, Broward, frustrated because she cannot find a lawyer to represent her. "Several lawyers have been contacted by both my family and me, but so far, I've only received rejections and excuses. (...) Everyone is concerned about their moral standing and reputation; not even a pro bono lawyer has responded," she said.
Recently, González Pedraza called for the release of the four young men she sentenced in Cuba, revealing that the process was influenced by the Provincial Court and State Security, with insufficient preliminary investigations and inadequate assessment of defense evidence during the oral hearing. Following this confession, human rights organizations are demanding the unconditional release of the young men and that the original trial be declared null and void.
Santiago Alpízar, director of Cuba Demanda, an NGO focused on promoting a democratic transition in Cuba, expressed his concern that despite the evidence presented, the four remain imprisoned. "This indicates to me that the Provincial Court of Villa Clara and the judge in charge may attempt to uphold Judge Melody González's sentence, which is very troubling," he emphasized.
FAQs on the Appeal Process for Young Cubans Sentenced by Judge Melody González
This section aims to address some frequently asked questions regarding the appeal process for the young Cubans sentenced by Judge Melody González and the implications of her recent actions.
Why were the young Cubans sentenced by Judge Melody González?
They were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of police chiefs and regime officials in Encrucijada on November 18, 2022.
What are the grounds for their appeal?
The appeal is based on claims that the initial trial was manipulated by State Security and lacked due process guarantees, including insufficient preliminary investigations and inadequate assessment of defense evidence.
What has Judge Melody González revealed about the trial?
González recently admitted that the trial was influenced by the Provincial Court and State Security, and called for the release of the young men she sentenced.