Cuba Government: More Than 100 Cuban Protesters Sentenced to 30 Years of Imprisonment

Cuba's government has sentenced more than 100 Cuban protesters who took part in an anti-government protest in Cuba in July.

Out of 129 defendants, only one was acquitted. The remaining were found guilty of sedition and theft, according to a BBC News report. Two were sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Thousands of Cubans participated in the demonstrations across Cuba, clamoring for "freedom."

In Cuba, unauthorized public gatherings are illegal. More than 1,000 people were arrested during the demonstrations.

The protest came during a severe economic crisis, with protesters voicing their anger on price increases, food shortages, and medicine. Many of the participants were also critical of the Cuban's government handling of the COVID pandemic.

Cuban Protesters

The court did not release the ages of those convicted. It stated that the protesters overturned vehicles and threw stones, bottles, and Molotov cocktails at police and Interior Ministry agents, according to a Voice of America News report.

The response of security forces left one dead, with dozens injured and more than 1,300 people detained.

Authorities admitted that more than 700 people had been charged and 172 already convicted over the protests in late January.

On March 10, 12 of the protesters were sentenced to between five and 16 years in prison for sabotage, public disorder, and theft. One defendant received four years of correctional work without internment. Those charged are allowed to appeal their sentences.

Maimi-based NGO Cubalex has scrutinized the long sentences imposed on protesters. The NGO claims they have been denied their right to a fair trial.

Cuba Rallies

Cubans posted videos of arrests on social media. Activists who dared to go out were driven away in police cars, while others were gathered into vans, according to The Guardian report.

One television actor arrested in July protests, Edel Perez, was prevented from leaving his house by two plain-clothed security agents. Perez said that he felt impotent and angry at the time, adding that the agents were violating his constitutional rights.

One protester named Alejandro said that there is no food and medicine in Cuba. He added that there is also "no freedom," according to another BBC News report.

Meanwhile, the island's president called for his supporters to "fight" the protesters.

One unnamed protester said they are not afraid, adding that they want to change and do not want any more dictatorship.

Images on social media showed what seemed to be security forces beating and pepper-spraying some of the protesters.

In addition, there were reports of internet blackouts across the island. A photographer with Associated Press was also injured after a confrontation with security forces.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel addressed the nation in light of the unrest. He pinned the blame on the United States for the turmoil.

Diaz-Canel said that its tight sanctions in Cuba have been in place in different forms since 1962, describing it as a "policy of economic suffocation."

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Inside The Anti-Government Protests in Cuba - from NBC News