Journalist’s jail sentence reduced to fine on appeal

The 20-month jail sentence that opposition journalist Dania García received on 23 April in connection with a family quarrel was reduced yesterday on appeal to a fine of 300 pesos (12 dollars), according to her lawyer, Laritza Diversent, who thinks García’s trial was politically motivated. Arrested on 20 April, García was convicted and sentenced three days later on a charge of “abuse of authority” because her 23-year-old daughter said García had turned her out of their home. She was released on 7 May pending the outcome of her appeal. Aged 41, García contributes to the opposition websites Primavera Digital and CubaNet, and keeps a blog (daniavirgengarcia.blogspot.com) linked to a radical anti-Castro group based in Miami. Reporters Without Borders reiterates its appeal to the Cuban authorities put an end to this latest crackdown on independent journalists, which began a few weeks ago and has brought the number of detained journalists to 24.