Cuba arrests 17 people in case of recruitment of Cubans for war against Ukraine

Cuban authorities have announced the arrest of 17 people in a case of recruitment of Cuban citizens to the Russian army to participate in the war against Ukraine. 

Reuters reported this.

"As a result of the investigations, 17 people have been arrested so far, among them the internal organizer of these activities," Cuban Interior Ministry Colonel Cesar Rodriguez said in a statement.

Rodriguez did not name any names but stressed that the group's leader relied on two other islanders to help him recruit Cubans to fight on the Russian side.

Prosecutor Jose Luis Reyes said that the members of the network could face 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, or the death penalty. It depends on the severity of their crimes.

It will be recalled that Cuba has uncovered a human trafficking network in Russia that illegally involves Cubans residing there in the war against Ukraine. 

The country's Foreign Ministry stressed that Cuba is not involved in the war against Ukraine.

The Russian side has not yet commented on this report.