William Sosa, a resident of Las Tunas, Cuba, has been taken to prison following his arrest on November 12 for posting critical opinions about the country's situation on Facebook, according to his son, Miguel Sosa, who made the announcement on social media.
"Thank you all for your concern. My father has been moved to a penitentiary today. We appreciate all the support," Miguel wrote on Facebook, using his father's account, confirming the authorities' latest decision against his father.
Sosa was detained by State Security, accused of "disobedience," a charge frequently employed by the Cuban Penal Code to penalize citizens who voice dissenting opinions against the regime.
His family deems the arrest as arbitrary and lacking legal basis.
The son of the detained man mentioned that the authorities had previously warned his father about his posts before taking him into custody.
"His crime was to think and write," he lamented, emphasizing that his father only offered economic and social analyses of Cuban reality "with respect and reason."
Miguel denounced the arrest as "illegal and a violation of human rights," pointing out that while the Cuban Constitution guarantees freedom of thought and expression, in practice, "these liberties exist only on paper."
The young man also shared an official summons indicating that his father had been targeted by authorities prior to the arrest.
"There is a family that needs him, waits for him, and suffers terribly from this injustice," he wrote earlier.
William Sosa is recognized for his reflections on Cuban reality, especially regarding topics like the economy, corruption, and social decay.
His situation has sparked solidarity among social media users, who demand his immediate release using the hashtag #LibertadParaWilliamSosa.
The "disobedience" charge, outlined in Articles 186 and 189 of the Penal Code, carries penalties ranging from six months to two years of imprisonment or fines up to 500 fees, and has been repeatedly applied against activists, journalists, and citizens critical of the regime.
William Sosa's case adds to a long history of Cubans persecuted for expressing themselves online, in an atmosphere of increasing state control over the digital space.
Human rights organizations have criticized the regime's use of gag laws and cybersecurity decrees to punish peaceful expressions and instill fear among users.
In Cuba, voicing a dissenting opinion can lead to imprisonment. Sosa's arrest and transfer to prison highlight the repressive nature of the Cuban judicial system, which prioritizes silencing criticism instead of addressing the country's real issues.
Understanding the Impact of Cuban Censorship
What is William Sosa accused of?
William Sosa is accused of "disobedience," a charge used in the Cuban Penal Code to punish those who publicly express opinions against the regime.
How does the Cuban government respond to online dissent?
The Cuban government uses restrictive laws and decrees to penalize peaceful expressions online, aiming to suppress dissent and instill fear among internet users.
What do human rights organizations say about the situation?
Human rights organizations condemn the Cuban regime for using laws to silence free speech and criticize the lack of genuine freedom of expression in the country.