The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) announced on Friday that it has submitted a formal complaint to the Provincial Prosecutor's Office in Camagüey, with a copy to the Military Prosecutor, regarding alleged serious irregularities in the judicial process against independent journalist Henry Constantín Ferreiro. Constantín, director of La Hora de Cuba, has been detained for exactly one month.
According to the OCDH statement, released in Madrid, the complaint focuses on two main irregularities that the organization demands be investigated by the People's Supreme Court and the Attorney General's Office.
Alleged Evidence Tampering in Prison
The first issue involves the alleged discovery of a makeshift knife among Constantín's belongings during a search at the maximum-security prison Kilo 7 in Camagüey, which took place on Thursday. The journalist denies ownership of the weapon and suspects it was deliberately planted in his cell to incriminate him, noting that the authorities went directly to the spot where the object was supposedly hidden.
The OCDH warns of indications that justify investigating possible evidence tampering and the involvement of State Security agents in the incident.
As a result of the discovery, the prison unit's chief ordered Constantín to be placed in solitary confinement for at least 15 days, preventing him from receiving scheduled family and conjugal visits on Monday, October 19, and from making his daily authorized phone calls.
Discrepancies in Legal Documentation
The second irregularity involves the unconfirmed whereabouts of Constantín's criminal case file. The Municipal Court of Camagüey reported returning it to the Prosecutor's Office and later claimed to have forwarded it on October 9. However, none of the judicial or prosecutorial institutions consulted have confirmed its receipt, hindering the defense's efforts and prolonging procedural uncertainty.
For the OCDH, this situation raises suspicions of potential hierarchical or political interference in judicial decisions.
The organization directly calls on the Attorney General to ensure an objective, thorough, and pressure-free investigation that safeguards evidence and identifies those responsible. It also urges the Supreme Court to clarify the irregularities in case handling and to ensure judicial independence.
Furthermore, the OCDH demands immediate protective measures and confidentiality guarantees for the complainant, the journalist's family and associates, his lawyers, and potential witnesses.
Constantín was arrested on September 16 after responding to a police summons in Camagüey. He was accused of disobedience for allegedly failing to attend a migration appointment days earlier—a charge he denies and which does not warrant imprisonment.
His case has drawn statements from the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, the Inter-American Press Association, and the administration of Donald Trump, all demanding his release.
"Judicial independence cannot accommodate political authorizations; criminal investigations cannot accept fabricated evidence; and reporting an illegality should never justify retaliation," the OCDH statement concludes.
Key Questions About Henry Constantín's Case
What are the main irregularities reported in Henry Constantín's case?
The main irregularities include the alleged planting of a weapon in his cell and the unconfirmed whereabouts of his criminal case file.
Who has spoken out in support of Henry Constantín?
Organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, the Inter-American Press Association, and the administration of Donald Trump have called for his release.