Independent journalist detained in Cuba
The Office of Cuba Broadcasting has learned that Martí Noticias contributor and coordinator of the independent video production group Palenque Vision Rolando Rodriguez Lobaina was detained overnight and held for several hours by Cuban authorities. According to the police, Mr. Lobaina did not have his ID with him, a charge that he refuted. Under Cuban law, anyone may be arrested for not having their official ID card.
The Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which operates TV and Radio Martí, is monitoring the situation and remained in contact with activists and journalists outside the police station in which Mr. Lobaina was held. Yoandry Montoya, a member of the dissident group Patriotic Union (UNPACU) told Martí Noticias that he had been informed by a police officer told that Mr. Lobaina’s situation was “complicated”.
Upon being released, Lobaina filed a report on his detainment and tweeted about his release.
#Cuba Liberado ahora luego d ser arrestado anoche x fzas policiales
— Rolando Lobaina (@LobainaCuba) June 15, 2015
On January 26th, customs agents at the Frank Pain International Airport in Holguin, Cuba seized two hard drives, two computer keyboards and a mobile phone from the Burke Award winner as he was returning home from a brief tour of New York, Washington D.C. and Miami.