Cuban dissident jailed in 2003 crackdown freed
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press Writer
HAVANA -- A democracy activist arrested in a crackdown on Cuba's
opposition six years ago was released from prison Thursday after
completing his sentence, the island's leading independent rights monitor
said.
Of the original group of 75 activists arrested in the 2003 crackdown, 21
have now been released. The other 20 were freed for earlier for health
reasons or paroled into exile in Spain.
Reynaldo Labrada Pena, who worked with the Varela Project democracy
drive, returned Thursday to his home in the eastern province of Las
Tunas, said Sanchez, head of the Havana-based Cuban Commission on Human
Rights and National Reconciliation.
Labrada could not be reached for comment because he does not have a home
telephone.
"It's a normal penal procedure" and was anticipated, said Sanchez. His
commission tracks the island's political prisoners and is a primary
source of information for international groups such as Amnesty
International and Human Rights Watch.
Cuba's government accused the 75 arrested activists of working with U.S.
authorities to undermine the communist government.
The dissidents and the American government denied the charges.
Their quick sentencing and long prison terms drew condemnation from
governments worldwide.
The Varela Project collected thousands of signatures from Cuban voters
seeking a referendum on civil rights such as freedom of speech,
assembly, press and business ownership. The signatures were delivered to
Cuba's parliament, which shelved the proposal.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/855861.html
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