Manipulation of Cuban Five Case Exposed in Havana

The manipulation and politicization of the case of the five Cuban anti-terrorist fighters, who were sentenced to long and unfair prison terms in the United States was exposed Monday, March 24, in Havana by Nuris Piñero, the attorney representing relatives of the Five.

During a meeting at the Cuban United Nations Association, Piñero stressed the significance of the International Day for the Right to Truth in relation to Serious Human Rights Violations and the Dignity of the Victims, a day established by the United Nations and observed every March 24th.

This is not a criminal issue, this is about politics, said Piñero as she addressed the case which began in 2001 with the arrest of the Five. The U.S. government committed multiple illegalities which must be righted, she emphasized.

The Miami-based media presented distorted information - provided by the government - to manipulate the facts and justify anti-Cuban terrorist actions which were, and are, planned in South Florida, the attorney said.

She insisted that the rights of the accused to be informed of charges and evidence were violated in the case of the Five, which includes Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero and Gerardo Hernández, the latter serving two life terms plus 15 years, in addition to René González and Fernando González, both freed after serving their sentences in full.

Even after so many years, arbitrary actions continue. Piñero noted that the same judge in the South Florida District Federal Court who presided during the original, highly irregular trial, is responsible for reviewing three habeas corpus petitions filed by Hernandez, Guerrero and Labañino, over two years ago.

GRANMA

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