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Spain 'expects Cuba dissidents' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Ladies in White say their fight to secure the release of all dissidents goes on | The Ladies in White say their fight to secure the release of all dissidents goes on |
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. | |
It was still not clear how many would be on the first flight, an official at the Spanish foreign ministry said. | |
Over the coming days, 17 freed dissidents are expected in Spain. | |
Last week, the Cuban government, the Catholic Church and the visiting Spanish foreign minister agreed a deal to secure the release of 52 dissidents. | |
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 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 were part of a group of 75 dissidents rounded up in 2003 and sentenced to jail terms of between six and 28 years. | |
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 from the beginning and the Ladies will keep that promise." | |
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. |