CUBA: Cuba frees six dissidents jailed for 2005 protest

Dissidents freed after serving two years in jail for 2005 protest say they will continue to oppose Castro's government. Cuban authorities on Tuesday (August 24) set free six dissidents who were arrested two years ago during anti-government demonstrations after the men had served their sentences, according to rights activists. From inside his house, Manuel Perez said he would not give up until he sees real change. "I will continue doing my job," Perez said. "I like what I'm doing. I think what I'm doing is good and I think that these (Cuban) people need what I'm doing. So I will continue to oppose Castro's government until he decides to make changes in this country through peaceful means, political, economic and social changes." Along with Perez, Emilio Leiva, Lazaro Alonso, Elio Enrique Chavez, Jose Diaz Silva and Dulian Ramirez were freed and allowed to go home. The six dissidents were arrested during demonstrations on July 13, 2005, including a protest near the port of Havana on the 11th anniversary of the sinking of tugboat packed with people trying to flee Cuba. Alfonso said he thought Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos who visited Cuba in March, had influenced the government's decision. "I think, in my opinion, that it has something to do with the visit of the Spanish gentleman who came to our country months or days ago," he said. "But it's something of a convenience for Fidel Castro's regime, it must be. Fidel Castro doesn't do anything regarding change. This man must have proposed something for him to make that decision." According to rights activists, about 280 Cubans are in prison for political reasons, including 59 of the 75 dissidents rounded up in a March 2003 crackdown and sentenced to jail terms of up to 28 years. The others have been freed on medical parole. Just days ago, on April 13, dissident journalist Oscar Sanchez, who reported for a Miami-based Web site called CubaNet, was arrested and sentenced to four years in jail.

ITN Source | April 26, 2007

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