Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

Cuba Releases Jailed Dissident Hector Palacios

update

Cuban dissident Hector Palacios, 65, has been unexpectedly freed from prison after three years.

The sociologist spoke to reporters at his home Wednesday, saying he was released because of his poor health. He is reported to have heart problems.

Palacios was among 75 people jailed in March 2003 in a government crackdown on dissidents. He was later sentenced to 25 years in prison for conspiring against Cuba with the United States. A total of 15 others arrested in that crackdown have since been freed because of health problems.

Palacios's wife is one of the Ladies in White, a group of wives of jailed dissidents who hold a weekly march to demand release for political prisoners.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

XS
SM
MD
LG