Military Court Upholds Eddy Ceballos' Detention as Family Accuses of Twisting Statements

The Cuban Military Court has turned down all requests from Eduardo "Eddy" Ceballos Pérez's defense during a judicial review, keeping the digital creator in pre-trial detention. Meanwhile, his family has raised concerns about the court's decision, claiming it attributes a confession to Ceballos that he never made.

The family received a notification stating that the court believes there is evidence linking Ceballos to the criminal act, and that he allegedly acknowledged these facts from the beginning, as asserted by his defense representative.

Additionally, the court justified its refusal to alter the precautionary measure, citing "the harmfulness of the acts related to state security."

However, Marieta Pérez, Ceballos' mother, described this claim as "alarming and contradictory," insisting that the statements included in the case file contradict the court's assertions.

Pérez explained that her son provided four statements during the investigation phase—two before his attorney took charge—and in each, he denied any intent to engage in espionage activities.

"The court not only disregards the presumption of innocence as a right and neglects the lack of evidence, but it also distorts the statements made by the defendant," Pérez criticized.

She demanded that "the actual case file be respected, that the narrative manipulation cease, and that a fair, transparent process reflecting the truth of events be ensured."

Daniela Escarra, Ceballos' wife and mother of his daughter, also firmly rejected the version presented in the resolution.

"This is false. Completely false and unbelievable. Since his arrest on June 1, Eddy has consistently maintained his innocence in all his statements. That remains his stance," she asserted.

Escarra has also pointed out irregularities in the case against her husband, accusing the authorities of fabricating evidence.

"They invent evidence. They premeditate the crime. They create a baseless case. Yet, the court plays along," she wrote on Facebook.

From Viral Video to State Security Charges

Ceballos, known for his satirical channel Despingovery Channel, was taken into custody on June 1 in Diez de Octubre, Havana, after releasing a video exploring an abandoned military site featuring Soviet missiles from the 1960s, radars, and Cold War bunkers.

Initially charged with "trespassing on military property," the case escalated to a more serious accusation: "disclosure of state security secrets," as outlined in Article 116.3 of the Penal Code.

Cuban law imposes severe penalties for offenses covered by this article, with possible sentences of up to 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty, depending on the legal grounds and circumstances involved.

The decision announced on Monday marks another setback for the defense's efforts to have Ceballos await trial outside of jail. The prosecution turned down an earlier request to change the precautionary measure in August, and the family reported another denial at the beginning of September.

Incarcerated, the digital creator has publicly refuted the charges. In August, he sent a letter summarizing his stance with the phrase, "I'm an artist, not a spy."

Christian Rodríguez Riverón, the cameraman for Despingovery Channel, was arrested weeks later and faces related charges. He remains detained at a facility known as "El Reloj Club" in Boyeros.

Ceballos has been in pre-trial detention for nearly four months without a trial date being set.

In July, his wife alleged that the authorities aimed to turn the case into a warning for other digital creators, intending to, in her words, "send a message of fear."