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World News

Cuban pastor waits on appeal outcome after house arrest

by Hannah Tooley

Rev Juan Carlos Núñez Velázquez, from eastern Cuba, was found guilty last month of violating the environmental protection law following complaints from neighbours that his church's sound system was too loud.

He was given two days' notice prior to his court date and lawyers were given this time to prepare his defence.

Anti-persecution charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said that the church leader was only allowed four witnesses, while the prosecution had ten.

He was supposed to appear in court on 28th of October, but he had filed an appeal on 25th October and now the pastor is unable to leave his house while he awaits the outcome.

Rev Juan Carlos Núñez Velázquez belongs to an unregistered network of Protestant churches and his Apostolic Movement church was demolished earlier in the year, since then the congregation have been meeting in the courtyard of his home.

He argues his sound system adheres to environmental regulations and that it has not been assessed by the relevant body before charges were brought.

CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: "CSW is deeply concerned at the unjust treatment of Rev Núñez Velázquez and calls for his sentence to be overturned.

"We urge the Cuban government to halt its harassment of the Apostolic Movement denomination.

"We further call on the EU and the US to insist that improvements in freedom of religion or belief and other human rights in Cuba are a central part of any dialogue with the Cuban government.''

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