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Dissident
freed after more than 2 years behind bars
without trial
The Associated Press. Yahoo!
News.
HAVANA -- Leonardo Bruzon Avila, a little-known
Cuban dissident who gained fame outside
his homeland through international campaigns
for his release, was suddenly freed from
jail Tuesday and he said he would leave
soon for France.
"My struggle is inside Cuba but I
will go to France so that my voice is heard
outside Cuba," Bruzon said in brief
comments to reporters at his home in central
Havana.
He said France granted him a humanitarian
visa after his family became alarmed about
his health during a recent hunger strike.
French officials in Havana could not be
reached for comment because the embassy
was closed for the day.
Bruzon, leader of a group calling itself
the February 24 Pro-Human Rights Movement,
was still awaiting trial following his arrest
more than two years ago on sedition charges.
Over the years, his case was mentioned
in annual reports by groups including Human
Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
Bruzon's family has maintained regular communication
with those and other groups about their
concerns for his well-being.
U.S. President George W. Bush even mentioned
Bruzon by name, along with several other
Cuban political prisoners, in an October
speech announcing measures to crack down
on American travel to the communist-run
island.
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