Inter-American Press Demands Release of Cuban journalist

HAVANA TIMES — The conservative Inter American Press Association (IAPA) on Friday demanded the immediate release of opposition journalist Calixto Martinez Arias, imprisoned since September and on hunger strike for almost a month, reported AFP.

The Hablemos Press correspondent, who had revealed the loss of a shipment of medicines and medical equipment donated by the World Health Organization and reported on an epidemic of cholera and dengue cases in Cuba, was arrested on September 16.

According to the note, the journalist is accused of the charges of “pre-criminal social endangerment” and defamation of character against former and current president Fidel and Raul Castro.

Arias Martinez’s lawyer has tried twice to see his client’s the record, but no state security agent has allowed it said Roberto de Jesus Guerra, the editor of Hablemos Press.