Detention of journalist condemned

Reporters Without Borders has condemned the detention of Cuban independent journalist Juliet Michelena Diaz.

Michelena was detained three days before the publication of a bylined report she wrote for the Miami-based independent news platform Cubanet about a case of ordinary police violence she had witnessed in Havana.

The charges against Michelena have changed since her arrest. Initially accused of "threatening a neighbour", she is now charged with "terrorism".

"We urge the authorities to free Michelena without delay and drop all charges against her," said Lucie Morillon, head of research at Reporters Without Borders.

"The decision to bring a more serious charge indicates a desire to silence her and put a stop to all her critical reporting," added Morillon.