(AFP)
HAVANA — Cuba has released the last five of a group of 35 dissidents it
arrested last week for demonstrating on behalf of a conscientious
objector, a Cuban human rights group said.
"The last three dissidents that were jailed since Wednesday were freed
on Sunday" and another two were released Friday and Saturday, Committee
for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) director Elizardo
Sanchez told AFP.
Cuban police arrested and jailed 35 political dissidents in the eastern
city of Camaguey, when they were marching in support of Orlando Zapata,
whom Amnesty International has declared a prisoner of conscience. He has
been in prison since 2003.
The protesters were briefly jailed, then 30 were released.
The demonstrators were protesting "the cruel and inhuman treatment" of
Zapata. The CCDHRN said it was concerned over Zapata's health, and
called for his unconditional release.
In its January annual report, the group said that there are 201
political prisoners in Cuba.
Authorities on the communist island insist there are no political
prisoners, but rather US-financed "mercenaries" jailed for threatening
Cuban national security.
AFP: Cuba releases all dissidents arrested last week (9 February 2010)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jZIyCGlz-heqx6vKtuFMyjKCbk4w
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