Havana, November 27 (RHC)-- Cuban ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union, Norma Goicochea, sent an open letter to the European Parliament on Tuesday, arguing Cuban citizen José Daniel Ferrer is not a political prisoner.

"I would like to write to you about the debate that will take place in plenary session on 'Cases of violations of human rights, democracy and the rule of law' in which the debate on the Cuban citizen José Daniel Ferrer has been included,” she said.

Newly elected Czech Member of the European Parliament, Dita Charanzová, proposed debate and vote scheduled to take place on Thursday, on a resolution on the situation of Ferrer and human rights in general in Cuba, using Washington´s same old pretexts to discredit the island.

In her letter, the Cuban diplomat argued that Ferrer, with criminal records that date back to 1993,  was arrested on October 1st after a criminal charge presented by Sergio García González, on account of kidnapping and assault, perpetrated on September 20  with the help of three other accomplices. The victim was admitted to the Mayarí Abajo municipality Hospital with severe injuries.

"For this reason, Ferrer is awaiting trial in prison, within the framework of Cuban law," she said.

The ambassador denounced the manifest interference of the United States and its diplomatic mission, guiding, instigating and financing the violent and destabilizing behavior of Ferrer, of whom they intend to fabricate the image of a persecuted and mistreated opponent.

Goicochea also told MEPs that she was sure they were aware of the lack of arbitrary detentions on the island.

“In Cuba, as it is the case in many countries where the rule of law prevails, it is the law that establishes the procedures and circumstances that warrant detention; as well as the terms under which the detainee must be subject to precautionary measures, or be released,” she said.