.png)
Journalist Mary Karla Ares sent to prison in Cuba
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 28 May 2021
Join our WhatsApp channel
Mary Karla Ares has been transferred to prison in Cuba after her arrest during a protest. Rights groups are calling for her immediate release and an end to harassment of journalists.Summary
HAVANA—The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Women’s Media Foundation, Article 19, and Cubalex rights groups have demanded in a joint statement that the Cuban government must release female journalist Mary Karla Ares immediately.
The Cuban authorities have transferred the journalist to the Western Women’s Prison in the La Lisa municipality of Havana, after holding her in a police facility since her April 30 arrest, according to a report by the Cuban Institute for Freedom of Expression and the Press (ICLEP).
Authorities are investigating her for criminal public disorder and “resistance,” according to that report. She was arrested while covering a protest on Facebook Live. "If charged and convicted, Ares could face up to five years in prison," the ICLEP report stated.
“By transferring Mary Karla Ares to the Western Women’s Prison, Cuban authorities have escalated their unjust treatment of a journalist who is being punished simply for doing her job,” said CPJ Central and South America Senior Researcher Ana Cristina Núñez, adding that: “Authorities must release Ares immediately, drop their investigation into her work, and cease harassing and detaining independent journalists.”
Photo: Facebook
Key Points
- Mary Karla Ares arrested while covering a protest on Facebook Live.
- She is being investigated for criminal public disorder and resistance.
- Authorities have transferred her to Western Women's Prison in Havana.
- Rights groups demand her immediate release and cessation of journalist harassment.
- If convicted, Ares faces up to five years in prison.
Relevant Topics
Ask AI: Understand this story your way
AI EnabledDig deeper, ask anything — get instant context, background, and clarity.
Disclaimer: This feature is powered by AI and is intended to help readers explore and understand news stories more easily. While we strive for accuracy, AI-generated responses may occasionally be incomplete or reflect limitations in the underlying model. This feature does not represent the editorial views of JournalismPakistan. For our full, verified reporting, please refer to the original article.
