In a ruling by the East Havana People's Municipal Court, Anna Bensi and her mother, Caridad Silvente, have been sentenced to two years of restricted freedom. They were found guilty of "acts against personal and family privacy" after recording and sharing a video of a Ministry of the Interior (MININT) officer on social media.
The 20-year-old content creator announced the court's decision in a recorded statement outside the tribunal in Cojímar, where supporters and media awaited her. "They found my mom and me guilty of the alleged crime," Bensi shared, describing the verdict as "an injustice."
The judgment was delivered orally, with the written sentence, detailing the reasoning, still pending notification.
Background of the Case
The incident dates back to March 10, 2026, when sub-officer Yoel Leodán Rabaza Ramos visited the Bensis' residence to deliver a State Security summons. The mother and daughter filmed the interaction and shared it online, leading to their prosecution. On March 25, they were formally charged and placed under house arrest with a travel ban.
Although initially shelved, the case was revived in July following a complaint from the officer himself. The trial, initially set for September 17, was postponed to this past Thursday.
Courtroom Proceedings and Reactions
Anna Bensi disclosed that the complainant initially demanded a public apology video to restore his reputation. Meanwhile, his lawyer sought two years of imprisonment for Bensi and two years of restricted freedom for her mother. The court dismissed the imprisonment demand for Bensi but imposed the same restrictive penalty on both women.
Presiding over the proceedings was Judge Zamira Marrero Morgado, known for her past involvement in the trials of July 2021 protesters in La Güinera.
Support and Solidarity
The day of the trial saw a significant police presence, with evangelical pastor Rolando Fidel Pérez Lora, also known as "Christ's Messenger," and activist David Espinosa Martínez detained as they attempted to attend the hearing.
Despite the crackdown, Bensi arrived at the court to applause, asserting, "We are not criminals."
The case has sparked widespread support. The Western Cuba Baptist Convention, artists like La Diosa, Claudia Artiles, and Haydée Milanés, along with Cuban-American lawmakers such as Carlos Giménez and María Elvira Salazar, expressed their solidarity with Bensi and her mother. Salazar labeled the trial as "a desperate act of a dying dictatorship trying to intimidate and silence the Cuban people."
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba voiced its support, stating, "Thinking differently is not a crime." Human rights organization Cubalex maintained that recording police actions is a legitimate exercise of citizen rights, a stance opposed to the court's eventual ruling.
Upon hearing the verdict, Bensi remained hopeful, stating, "God is in control," as she awaited the formal document outlining the specifics of a penalty that, while not incarceration, restricts her mobility and activities for what was merely recording a video on her phone.
Understanding the Legal Implications and Public Reactions
What led to the charges against Anna Bensi and her mother?
The charges stemmed from a video they recorded and shared, which showed an interaction with a MININT officer during the delivery of a State Security summons.
How did the public and international community respond to the verdict?
There was significant support from various groups, including artists, religious organizations, and U.S. lawmakers, condemning the trial as an attempt to silence dissent.
What were the demands of the complainant in the case?
The complainant initially requested a public apology video and his lawyer sought imprisonment for Anna Bensi, which the court ultimately did not grant.