A Protestant pastor in Cuba has been released after spending more than three months in detention, although he still faces charges and must report to authorities twice a week while awaiting trial.
Pastor Alexis Padrón Lorenzo, 58, was released under "precautionary measures" on 11 September. He leads the Communion in Faith Church in Regla Municipality, La Habana Province.
Authorities detained Pastor Padrón Lorenzo on 10 June after accusing him of public disorder. He had confronted government officials over what he believed was misleading information being given to the public about prolonged interruptions to basic services in his area.
Cuba has faced extended power cuts since last year, alongside serious shortages of food, medicine and other basic necessities.
The pastor, who has rheumatoid arthritis, was later transferred to the El Vivac Detention Centre in Havana. He was reportedly held incommunicado throughout his detention.
After his release, Pastor Padrón Lorenzo described the conditions in detention as "very difficult". He said the food was often almost impossible to eat and was sometimes spoiled.
"Being separated from my family was especially painful," he said. "I suffered a lot there."
The pastor maintained that his comments were an expression of anger over the crisis affecting basic services across Cuba rather than an attack directed at a particular individual.
"What I shouted out loud there did not mention any names and was not directed at anyone in particular, but at a government structure," he said.
However, he acknowledged that he had expressed his frustration loudly and ended his remarks with the words "down with the dictatorship".
The accusations against him have not been dropped. Authorities have ordered him to report and sign in twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, while he awaits trial.
Pastor Padrón Lorenzo continues to reject the allegations against him.
Christian advocacy organisation CSW welcomed his release but called for the remaining proceedings against him to be brought to an end.
"CSW welcomes the release of Pastor Alexis Padrón Lorenzo, though he should never have been detained in the first place," said Anna Lee Stangl, CSW's Director of Advocacy and Americas Team Leader.
She described the conditions imposed on him following his release as "unjust and unnecessary" and said freedom of expression is a fundamental right.
CSW called for the pastor's full and immediate acquittal.
Based on reporting by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
