Seven freed dissidents depart Cuba for new life in Spain

Seven political prisoners released by Cuba flew to Spain late Monday, along with their close relatives, to start a new life in exile. They are the first of 52 authorised to leave the country.

Reuters

Their release was brokered in a surprise deal between the Catholic Church and the government after a politically embarrassing hunger strike by dissident Guillermo Farinas.

Officials say they will not be required to stay in Spain, while both the US and Chile have offered asylum.

The ex-prisoners and some 30 relatives boarded two flights. One is operated by Air Europa, and the second by Iberia.

All of the dissidents were part of a group of 75 rounded up in 2003 and sentenced to jail terms of between six and 28 years. The other 23 have already been freed.

News of the release came as former president Fidel Castro made his first television appearance in 11 months in an interview broadcast on Cuban TV.

Castro discussed his views on the Middle East and North Korea in a recorded interview with the presenter of the Round Table news and analysis show that airs on state-run television.