Jorge Olivera Castillo

Profession: Former Director of Havana Press

Details of arrest: Arrested as part of a crackdown on alleged dissidents that began on 18 March 2003 and in which around 80 people were detained. 

Details of trial: One of 34 journalists, writers and librarians sentenced during the one-day trials held on 3/4 April 2003 under laws governing the protection of the Cuban state. The one-day court hearings were held behind closed doors and it is reported that there was insufficient time for the accused to put together a cogent defence.

Sentence: 18 years. Sentenced under Law 88.

Health concerns: It was reported in May 2003 that, due to illness, Olivera had lost 30 lbs (13 kilos) since beginning his sentence. It was reported in January 2004 that Olivera (42) was being held in solitary confinement and that he was suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and from two parasites - jardia and E-Coli. Olivera was transferred to Guantánamo Provincial Hospital on 26 February 2004 where he is undergoing treatment.

Released: Due to poor health in 6 December 2004.

Honorary member: English PEN

Jorge Olivera Castillo is out of prison, but he continues to live under surveillance. Olivera was ordered not to leave Havana. He and his family have an American government permission to emigrate to the United States, but the dictatorship will not let them leave. He is currently writing poetry and short stories.

In a statement posted by Olivera at Net for Cuba www.netforcuba.org/News-EN/2006/Feb/News993.htm he offers more details about the conditions that have been imposed to him for his release.

"These are the court's stipulations: I am forced to work for a center predetermined by the court where I will be watched by members of the Cuban Communist Party, the official labor union and employees from the court. Also, I can no longer travel outside the limits of the city of Havana without authorization from that court and I cannot assist to any public event or any public festivity. The judge threatened to revoke the extra penal license (that I never requested to begin with) if I do not follow and practice all of the above court dispositions."

To read the original Spanish version of some of Jorge Olivera Castillo's poems, please click here.

To read English translations of some of Jorge Olivera Castillo's poems, please click here.

Sources: Net for Cuba http://www.netforcuba.org/ , Uncommon Sense http://marcmasferrer.typepad.com/uncommon_sense