Cuba releases 3 political prisoners, 65 still jailed from 2003 arrests News
Cuba releases 3 political prisoners, 65 still jailed from 2003 arrests

[JURIST] Cuban authorities on Monday released three more of the 75 political prisoners they arrested in March 2003. The newly freed prisoners are Oscar Espinosa Chepe, Margarito Broche Espinosa and Marcelo Lopez Banobre. Chepe is a 64 year old economist and journalist. Broche is 45 and president of the National Association of Rafters for Peace, Democracy and Freedom. Banobre is 41, a tugboat captain jailed for communications with Amnesty International. All three are believed to be in poor health. The releases come in the wake of talks with EU members that would reverse some of the diplomatic measures taken against Cuba after the March 2003 roundup of journalists, librarians and freedom activists. Earlier this year Cuba released 7 of the 75 prisoners, also on health grounds. It is estimated that Cuba continues to have more than 300 people jailed as political prisoners. The US State Department has background. Reuters has more.