2LT International News

HAVANA, Cuba: Courts in Cuba concluded six mass trials involving individuals allegedly participating in the largest and most unruly demonstrations to have ever taken place in the communist country, thereby leading to over 100 Cubans awaiting what is likely to be severe sentencing.

Families of the accused have stated that the prosecution was pressing for sentencing the accused to 30 years imprisonment for wrongdoings, with charges including incitement, public disturbance, and assault.

An announcement of the sentencing date has yet to be made.

Several thousand residents of Cuba thronged streets across cities on the 11th and 12th of July to demonstrate against shortages of goods, electricity outages, and financial distress, with some protestors even pressing for a governmental change.

During the demonstrations, one person was killed, while some shops and and vehicles were vandalized or set on fire.
Meanwhile, Justice 11J, a group formed to track those who have been arrested in Cuba, report that 1,300 people were arrested following demonstrations, while over 400 have appeared in court.

Non-governmental organizations, including Human Rights Watch and London-headquartered Amnesty International, have levelled accusations against the Cuban government over its response to largely peaceable demonstrations, with random detentions and clampdowns aimed at muffling dissent.