24/12/2011 12:39
3,000 prisoners pardoned by Cuba's supreme governing body
Cuba's supreme governing body has pardoned nearly 3,000 prisoners, including some convicted of political crimes, though no mention was made of jailed American government subcontractor Alan Gross, whose case has become a sticking point between Havana and Washington, informs the Guardian.
The Council of State agreed to release 2,900 prisoners, among them inmates who are over 60 years old or are ill, women and young people with minor criminal records. President Raul Castro cited an upcoming visit by the Pope among the reasons for the amnesty, saying the humanitarian act showed Cuba's strength.
Those convicted of serious crimes like murder, espionage or drug trafficking will not be part of the amnesty, though some people convicted of political crimes are on the release list, the Guardian reports.