Díaz Fernández, director of the independent news agency Agencia de Prensa Sindical Independiente de Cuba, is one of 29 independent Cuban journalists who were detained in March in a massive government crackdown on the independent media and political opposition.
His one-day summary trial was held in early April behind closed doors. He was tried under Article 91 of the Penal Code, which imposes lengthy prison sentences or death for those who act against “the independence or the territorial integrity of the State.” On April 7, the Havana Provincial Tribunal announced he had been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The journalist remained imprisoned in the provincial headquarters of the State Security Department until April 24, when he was sent to Guanajay Prison in western Habana Province.