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Reporter jailed in Cuba
after covering government evictions
Committee
to Protect Journalists.
New York, May 30, 2006-The Committee to
Protect Journalists condemns the detention
of independent Cuban journalist Armando
Betancourt who was arrested a week ago while
covering the evictions of dozens of families
from their homes in the central city of
Camagüey, sources told CPJ.
On May 23, authorities forcefully evicted
families allegedly occupying homes illegally,
according to local sources. Betancourt,
a reporter for the news agency Nueva Prensa
Cubana in Camagüey, was arrested along
with several people who were protesting
the evictions, a relative told CPJ. The
journalist did not participate in the protests,
according to several sources.
At the time of the arrest, Betancourt identified
himself as a journalist, sources told CPJ.
The journalist handed over his notes before
he was pushed into a truck and taken into
custody, they said
The journalist is being held at a local
police station on the outskirts of Camagüey,
CPJ sources said. Authorities confirmed
the detention to a family member on May
24, but relatives have not been allowed
to visit him, a relative said. Police told
Betancourt's family that the journalist
would be charged with aggravated public
disturbance and could be sentenced to prison.
"We are outraged by the arrest of
our colleague who was arbitrarily detained
solely for doing his job," CPJ Executive
Director Ann Cooper said. "We call
on Cuban authorities to immediately release
Betancourt and the other 24 journalists
who are currently imprisoned."
For
more information on Cuba's imprisoned journalists
CPJ is a New York-based,
independent, nonprofit organization that
works to safeguard press freedom around
the world.
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