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September 13, 2013

Release of Cuban 5 Demanded on 15th Anniversary of Arrest 
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Cubans marked the 15th anniversary of the arrest of the Cuban Five
Thursday, displaying yellow ribbons and calling for the United States to
release the men from prison. The Cuban Five were arrested on September
12, 1998, and later convicted of espionage. They say they were not
spying on the United States but trying to monitor violent right-wing
Cuban exile groups responsible for attacks inside Cuba. Four members of
the Cuban Five remain behind bars while the fifth, René González, was
released on parole in 2011. Adriana Peréz, wife of Cuban Five member
Gerardo Hernández, spoke at an event in Havana.

Adriana Peréz: "Today is a movement of solidarity. A message to the
people of the United States so that they ask their president and their
government to return the Cuban Five with a signature that he can give to
free them. Gerardo, my husband, is jailed on two life sentences. He's
condemned to die in prison. So, all that is left is a humanitarian
gesture which is what we are asking the president of the United States
and his people for."

Watch our interview with the late journalist Saul Landau, who made many
films, including "Will the Real Terrorist Please Stand Up," about the
Cuban Five. Saul died Monday at the age of 77.

 

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