Six freed Cuban journalists arrive in Spain

Six Cuban journalists who spent more than seven years in prison arrived in Spain today in the first of what is expected to be a series of releases of political prisoners by the Cuban government.
The Committe to Protect Journalists said the Associated Press reported that journalists Léster Luis González Pentón, Omar Ruíz Hernández, Julio César Gálvez Rodríguez, José Luis García Paneque, and Pablo Pacheco Avila arrived at Barajas airport aboard an Air Europa flight. Journalist Ricardo González Alfonso arrived on separate Iberia flight, AP said.
The Catholic Church in Havana announced last week that the government of Raúl Castro had agreed to release a total of 52 political prisoners. Church and Spanish government officials had sought release of the prisoners in negotiations with the Havana government.

• Prior to today’s release, CPJ research had identified 21 journalists in Cuban prisons for their independent reporting and commentary.