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Cuba gears up to free dissidents Spain 'expects Cuba dissidents'
(about 2 hours later)
The Ladies in White say their fight to secure the release of all dissidents goes onThe Ladies in White say their fight to secure the release of all dissidents goes on
Cuban authorities have gathered several political prisoners and their families at locations in Havana as they prepare to fly them to Spain. The first group of dissidents freed by the Cuban government is set to arrive in Madrid on a scheduled flight on Tuesday, Spanish officials say.
The move is part of a deal reached last week after talks between the government, the Catholic Church and the visiting Spanish foreign minister. It was still not clear how many would be on the first flight, an official at the Spanish foreign ministry said.
The Church has said that 17 prisoners would soon be freed but it is not known how many will be on the first flight. Over the coming days, 17 freed dissidents are expected in Spain.
The first dissidents could leave on Monday but this has not been confirmed. Last week, the Cuban government, the Catholic Church and the visiting Spanish foreign minister agreed a deal to secure the release of 52 dissidents.
The first wave of prisoners are currently being processed at a holding centre on the outskirts of the Cuban capital, with their families kept at a separate facility. Over the weekend, the authorities gathered several political prisoners and their families at separate locations in Havana.
A Spanish foreign ministry official in Madrid said the first freed prisoners were expected to take a scheduled flight from Cuba on Monday evening.
On Sunday, a dissident group known as the Ladies in White staged its weekly march calling for the release of their relatives.On Sunday, a dissident group known as the Ladies in White staged its weekly march calling for the release of their relatives.
Protests continue
There were slightly fewer protesters than usual as some had been taken to a government facility before going to the airport to join their husbands on a flight to Spain.There were slightly fewer protesters than usual as some had been taken to a government facility before going to the airport to join their husbands on a flight to Spain.
The leader of the Ladies, Laura Pollan, said 11 prisoners, more than first thought, had been taken to the holding centre.
It is understood that at least 17 dissidents have agreed to go to Spain, although several are reported to have said they are not prepared to leave their country.
Rounded up
The prisoner release, which could become the biggest this decade on the communist-ruled island, was announced last Wednesday.The prisoner release, which could become the biggest this decade on the communist-ruled island, was announced last Wednesday.
Under the agreement, 52 political prisoners will eventually be freed.Under the agreement, 52 political prisoners will eventually be freed.
All 52 were part of a group of 75 dissidents rounded up in 2003 and sentenced to jail terms of between six and 28 years. All were part of a group of 75 dissidents rounded up in 2003 and sentenced to jail terms of between six and 28 years.
Ms Pollan said the marches would continue. Leader of the Ladies in White Laura Pollan said their marches would continue.
"While there is one political prisoner or prisoner of conscience, there will be Ladies in White," said Ms Pollan."While there is one political prisoner or prisoner of conscience, there will be Ladies in White," said Ms Pollan.
"This is what we pledged form the beginning and the Ladies will keep that promise." "This is what we pledged from the beginning and the Ladies will keep that promise."
Following the announcement of the prisoner releases, Spain's foreign minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, called on the EU to soften its Common Position on Cuba.
The 1996 policy calls for advances in human rights and democracy before relations with Cuba can be normalised.
Cuba has always denied that it has political prisoners, calling them mercenaries paid by the US to undermine Havana's rule.Cuba has always denied that it has political prisoners, calling them mercenaries paid by the US to undermine Havana's rule.