Dozens of protesters are facing a Cuban trial this week, according to relatives Protest News

Demonstrators were arrested in July for unprecedented protests against food shortages, rising prices and other complaints.

At least 57 protesters were arrested in Cuba last year a wave of unprecedented demonstrations relatives said they will stand trial this week.

Relatives said on Tuesday some of the protesters were facing a 30-year prison sentence.

Roxana Garcia, the sister of 24-year-old defendant Andy Dunier Garcia, said she was told the trial would last three to four days. His brother is accused of public disorder in Santa Clara, as well as assault and contempt of authority.

He said the defense attorney was doing a good job, adding that the only witnesses against the defendants were “the same cops who were beaten.”

In the Cuban capital, Havana, Yaquelin Cruz said her 20-year-old son Dariel Cruz had faced a 15-year sentence for sedition – trying to overthrow a legitimate government. She said her son was recently stabbed in prison.

Relatives say 21 people will be indicted in the eastern city of Holguin, 20 in Havana and 16 in Santa Clara.

Protests erupted throughout Cuba July 11 and 12 thousands took to the streets in protest food shortages, rising prices and economic difficulties. Some even called for a change of government.

Officials appeared unannounced at first, but later hundreds of protesters were arrested. At least one person was killed and several shops and vehicles were vandalized or burned in two days.

Cuban authorities have never released an official number of arrests in protests, although court officials said in August that 23 trials were expedited for 67 lesser charges against the accused, such as public disorder.

Since then, prosecutors have filed more serious charges, such as sedition, against other defendants, said Salome Garcia 11J Justice, a group with members in Cuba and abroad who is trying to follow up on detainees’ cases.

The organization said it had confirmed 1,334 arrests, 223 convictions and 231 other charges. He said 98 people had been fined.

According to the group, the initial detainees included 48 people under the age of 18 – the criminal responsibility is 16 years in Cuba – although several of them were released.

11J The list of cases in Justice states that some Holguin people face up to 30 years in prison for the same charge that Dariel Cruz faces in an attempt to overthrow a legitimate government.

Several relatives have reported that only one family member per defendant will be included.

Cuban authorities have acknowledged that some of the complaints in the protests were justified.

But the United States has been accused of being real strength behind the demonstrations, they seemed to be mobilized to some extent in the new permits social networks.

Washington has denied any involvement in the protests, and has imposed sanctions on Cuban officials.

Last week, the administration of US President Joe Biden He banned eight Cuban government officials accused of being mistreated by protesters since entering the country.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blink has accused Cuban officials of taking part in “attempts to silence the voices of the Cuban people through repression, unjust detention, and harsh prison sentences.”

Blinken said about 600 Cuban protesters remain in custody, including those who have seen their health deteriorate and those who do not have access to adequate food or medicine.