The 75: Political Prisioners (one of them)
Fabio Prieto Llorente had worked as an independent journalist in the Isla de la Juventud since 1997. During this period, he was said to have received regular visits, threats and warnings from police and other security agents to discontinue his activities. In January 2002, he was briefly detained, and harassment reportedly continued throughout that year. In March 2003, he was finally arrested and then sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for breaching article 88 of the Penal Code*. Amnesty International has designated him as a "prisoner of conscience."
At the same time that we wish him the best possible birthday, under very trying conditions (March 11), the U.S. Government calls for his immediate and unconditional release.
* In February 1999, Cuba's National Assembly passed Law 88, the Ley de Protección de la Independencia Nacional y la Economía de Cuba, Law for the Protection of the National Independence and Economy of Cuba. The law calls for seven to 15 years' imprisonment for passing information to a foreign government that could be used to bolster anti-Cuban measures such as the US economic "blockade". Provision was made for the term of imprisonment to rise to 20 years if the information were acquired surreptitiously. The legislation also bans the ownership, distribution or reproduction of 'subversive materials' from foreign governments, and proposes terms of imprisonment of up to five years for collaborating with radio and TV stations and publications deemed to be assisting U.S. policy.