The People's Municipal Court of East Havana found content creator Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, guilty on Thursday. They were each sentenced to two years of restricted freedom for "acts against personal and family privacy."
Bensi confirmed the verdict in a video shared on social media after the trial concluded, as family, friends, and media waited outside the courthouse in Cojímar. "They declared my mother and me guilty," she stated, explaining that they each received two years of restricted freedom.
Mother and daughter now await the written sentence, which will detail the decision's rationale and the terms of the announced punishment.
Bensi described the ruling as "an injustice" yet remained steadfast in her position. "God is in control," she expressed after hearing the decision.
A Demand for Apology Turns into a Conviction
The case dates back to March 10, 2026, when officer Yoel Leodán Rabaza Ramos from the Ministry of the Interior visited their Havana home to deliver a State Security summons. Bensi and her mother recorded the interaction and later shared the footage online, leading to the charges of "acts against personal and family privacy."
On March 25, both women were charged and placed under house arrest, with a travel ban imposed. Initially, the case was closed, but a complaint from the officer reopened proceedings in July.
After the verdict, Bensi revealed that the officer had first demanded a public apology video. "The officer felt offended and wanted a public apology video to restore his dignity," she explained.
The officer's lawyer eventually sought harsher penalties: two years of imprisonment for Bensi and two years of restricted freedom for her mother. However, the court did not grant the imprisonment request, sentencing both to two years of restricted freedom instead.
A Trial Under Surveillance and Acts of Solidarity
Initially scheduled for September 17, the trial was postponed until this Thursday and was presided over by Judge Zamira Marrero Morgado, known among activists for her role in judging the July 11 protesters.
Before entering the courtroom, Bensi asserted, "We are not criminals," and expressed doubts about receiving a fair trial. She entered the court to applause from supporters gathered outside.
The day was marked by a heavy police presence. Evangelical pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora, known as "Pregonero de Cristo," was detained while leaving his home for the court, along with Christian activist David Espinosa Martínez. Other activists reported surveillance and restrictions on leaving their homes.
The case garnered significant support in the days leading up to the trial. The Baptist Convention of Western Cuba stood in solidarity with the mother and daughter, while Cuban artists and influencers, including La Diosa, Claudia Artiles, Claudia Valdés, and Kristoff Kriollo, shared messages of support.
Cuban-American congressman Carlos Giménez publicly condemned the proceedings, calling for their unconditional release.
The legal advisory organization Cubalex argued from the outset that recording police actions is a legitimate exercise of citizens' rights, a view contrary to the one that ultimately led to the conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Trial of Anna Bensi
Why were Anna Bensi and her mother convicted?
Anna Bensi and her mother were convicted for "acts against personal and family privacy" after filming a Ministry of the Interior officer and sharing the footage online.
What was the initial demand from the officer involved?
The officer initially demanded a public apology video from Anna Bensi to restore his dignity after the incident was recorded and shared.
How did the public react to the trial?
The trial sparked widespread public support for Bensi and her mother, with solidarity from religious organizations, artists, influencers, and political figures condemning the process.