Police blamed for trans death

An 18-year-old transgender woman has reportedly been beaten to death in police custody.

Leidel Luis, who was known as Jessica, died after receiving a brutal beating in Guáimaro, southern Cuba, Florida-based news website Cubanet reported.

It is alleged she was arrested at a traffic stop on January 4 by police, who were heard shouting derogatory remarks at her.

The report of her murder is sourced to prison inmate Rolando Castro Sanchez, who names those he alleges beat Luis to death as police officers.

It’s claimed her body was removed after she was found dead in her cell in the middle of the night.

Police harassment has been an ongoing problem for Cuba’s LGBT community, which has used gay Cuban blogs to get their stories of mistreatment out to the public.

In September, a death in custody of another trans person was reported in Havana.