Havana (reuters) -- Cuba is preparing to free more political prisoners on top of the 52 it is in the process of releasing, dissidents said Saturday. They said they were helping the Roman Catholic Church, Spain and the European Union prepare lists of prisoners who should be released, but that in some cases the government is already taking the first steps toward freeing them.">Havana (reuters) -- Cuba is preparing to free more political prisoners on top of the 52 it is in the process of releasing, dissidents said Saturday. They said they were helping the Roman Catholic Church, Spain and the European Union prepare lists of prisoners who should be released, but that in some cases the government is already taking the first steps toward freeing them.">

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Dissidents say Cuba prepares to free more prisoners

Havana (reuters) -- Cuba is preparing to free more political prisoners on top of the 52 it is in the process of releasing, dissidents said Saturday.

They said they were helping the Roman Catholic Church, Spain and the European Union prepare lists of prisoners who should be released, but that in some cases the government is already taking the first steps toward freeing them.

“The government is now contacting other prisoners apart from the 52 and they are filling out forms and telling them that if they want to, they can go abroad with eight family members,” said a dissident who asked not to be named.

In a deal with the church, Cuba pledged in July to release 52 political prisoners to end international criticism that followed the February death of imprisoned hunger striker Orlando Zapata Tamayo. So far, 36 have been freed and sent to Spain in a process expected to last another month.

Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega said Friday the church was mediating talks to release prisoners above the original 52, but was gathering input from different sources to compile a list for the government of who it believes should be freed.

Cuban authorities, he said, would then decide who they will let go.

There is disagreement on how many more political prisoners are in Cuban jails. The government is said not to want to release any who committed acts of violence.

Laura Pollan, leader of the dissident “Ladies in White,” told Reuters her group believes there are 40 to 50 more prisoners who should be freed outright.

Pollan said she will give her list of names to the church, the Spanish government and European Union as soon as Tuesday.

President Raul Castro has been applauded for releasing prisoners, but dissidents complain that they are being forced to go to Spain, which has agreed to accept them.

Cuban leaders want them off the island because they view political prisoners as mercenaries working to undermine the government at the behest of the United States.

Source:www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/sns-cuba-prisoners,0,7410618.story?track=rss

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