Influx of Cuban dissidents to Spain continues

Aug 19, 2010, 12:29 GMT

Madrid - More released Cuban dissidents arrived in Spain on Thursday, part of a group of 52 dissidents whom Havana has agreed to release.

Twenty-six of the 52 have accepted being sent to Spain.

The arrival of journalist Juan Carlos Herrera brought the total in Spain to 24 so far. Fabio Prieto, also a journalist, was due to arrive in Madrid later on Thursday, the Red Cross said.

The two were released from prison on Wednesday.

Havana agreed to release 52 dissidents under a deal between the Cuban and Spanish authorities brokered by the Roman Catholic Church.

The 52 were among a group of 75 who had been jailed in the so- called Black Spring crackdown on dissidents in 2003, and handed prison sentences of up to 28 years.

Although all of them are considered prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International, a human rights group, the Cuban government regards them as common prisoners who were sentenced for serving the interests of the United States.