Oct. 26, 2010

Czechs Grant Asylum To Cuban Political Prisoner

Czech Republic Grants Asylum To 1st Cuban Political Prisoner, His Family, Ready To Take More

(AP)  PRAGUE (AP) - Officials say the Czech Republic has become the second European Union country after Spain to grant asylum to a Cuban political prisoner.

The Foreign Ministry says Rolando Jimenez Posada arrived in Prague on Tuesday.

He's one of dozens political prisoners Cuba's communist government agreed to free on condition they leave the island.

Pavla Holcova of the People In Need human rights organization says Jimenez Posada, a lawyer, was arrested in 2003 and received a 12-year prison term three years later for subversion. Holcova said Posada arrived with his wife, brother, son and niece.

The Czech Republic is one of the strongest critics in the EU of Cuba's human rights record. The ministry says the country is ready to take 10 Cuban political prisoners.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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