About 20 prisoners were released from a Havana jail today, French Press Agency reporters said, a day after the Cuban government announced it was pardoning 2.010 people as a “humanitarian gesture” because of Catholic Holy Week.
The released prisoners, with tears in their eyes, embraced family and friends waiting for them outside La Lima prison in the east of the capital. “You only get this chance once in a lifetime,” said Brian Peres, 20, who was convicted of causing bodily harm.
Some of the prisoners came out of prison carrying suitcases and backpacks, others had only a bag with their belongings.
“It’s a great blessing, this pardon was really a gift for the inmates,” said Damian Fariñas, 20, explaining that he was surprised by the decision. The young man had already served 1 year and 8 months in prison for robbery.
On Thursday night the government announced it was pardoning hundreds of prisoners, without linking the decision to ongoing talks with the US. A few days earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump eased the oil embargo on Cuba, allowing a Russian tanker to dock on the island, which is facing a severe fuel shortage.
The release of political prisoners has been a central U.S. demand of Cuba for years.
Havana did not name the individuals who were pardoned or specify the offenses for which they were convicted. It only explained that the pardon was based on the type of offences, their good behaviour in prison, health reasons and the length of their sentence already served. Those convicted of homicide, sexual assault, drug-related crimes or “offences against the authorities” are excluded from the ruling.
Among those released from prison are young people, women and the elderly, as well as “foreigners and Cuban citizens permanently residing abroad”
