Cuba releases prisoners in response to Pope’s request for Jubilee

November 16, 2016

The government of Cuba has announced the release of 787 prisoners, in a response to a request issued by Pope Francis for the Jubilee Year.

The government of President Raul Castro said that the prisoners released were selected on the basis of the time they had already served and their behavior while incarcerated. Violent criminals were not included in the early-release program.

The Cuban government did not indicate how many political prisoners, if any, were released.

 

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Further information:

• Cuba pardons 787 common prisoners at Pope’s request (AP)