A 20-year-old religious freedom activist and university student was detained and threatened by Cuban state security agents after a visit to the US to raise concerns about religious freedom violations in Cuba, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
The UK-based religious freedomn advocacy organisation said Fếlix Yuniel Llerena López was interrogated upon his arrival back in Cuba on 27th April and the following day was detained, interrogated again, threatened and forced to sign a pre-arrest warrant for public disorder. He reported to CSW that he was questioned aggressively by two high ranking officers who had detailed information about his activities in the US. These included attending advocacy meetings arranged by CSW.
The organisation says his mother, who did not travel with him, was also temporarily detained and interrogated “in what appears to be another attempt to intimidate the young activist”.
Mervyn Thomas, CSW’s chief executive, says he was “extremely concerned” about the treatment of the student who is also a coordinator for the Patmos Institute, an independent civil society organisation which promotes freedom of religion or belief and inter-religious dialogue and cooperation.
“Public accusations linking him to terrorism are not only preposterous and unfounded, but also put his family in danger,” he said. “We call on the Cuban Government to cease its harassment of Fếlix and to turn its attention to addressing its ongoing violations of freedom of religion or belief as a matter of urgency. We also urge the international community to closely monitor this situation.”
