http://www.onenewsnow.com/Persecution/Default.aspx?id=1081610HAVANA - The Roman Catholic Church says Cuba's communist government has agreed to free 52 political prisoners and allow them to leave the country in what would be the island's largest mass liberation of dissidents in decades.
A statement from Havana's Cardinal Jaime Ortega said five are to be released into exile in Spain as soon as possible, while the remaining 47 would be freed over several months.
The deal was announced following a meeting between President Raul Castro and Ortega. Also participating was the visiting Spanish foreign minister and his Cuban counterpart.
Ortega's office said those to be released are among a group of 75 political opposition activists, community organizers and journalists who were rounded up in a crackdown on dissent in 2003.