Cuban dissident Guillermo Fariñas was arrested Friday, November 12 in Santa Clara (center), three days before a demonstration planned by the opposition and banned by the communist authorities, his mother told AFP.
"They arrested him today
(Friday)
, they took him around 2:10 pm,"
Alicia Hernandez said by phone, adding that her 59-year-old son is currently being treated with antibiotics for a urinary tract infection.
"An ambulance and two police patrols came and took him to Arnaldo Milian Castro hospital
," she added.
"They told me that tomorrow
(Saturday)
a prosecutor will visit him to indict him, but we do not know for what"
.
Read alsoIn Cuba, dissent does not disarm
His arrest comes three days before a demonstration scheduled for Monday by the Cuban opposition to demand the release of political prisoners, banned by the authorities who consider that its organizers want to bring about a change of regime with the support of Washington.
Guillermo Fariñas, 59, 2010 European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, observed 23 hunger strikes during the 2000s to protest against the government, which significantly weakened his health, a source of concern for his loved ones.
A psychologist by training, independent journalist and human rights activist, he joined the Patriotic Union of Cuba (Unpacu), the most active opposition organization in Cuba, led by José Daniel Ferrer, currently in prison.
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