HAVANA, (Reuters) – Cuba said yesterday it would pardon and release 3,522 prisoners on the occasion of the Sept. 19-22 visit by Pope Francis, repeating similar actions it took ahead of two previous papal visits.
There was no immediate indication whether those to be pardoned included people considered political prisoners by dissidents or human rights organizations.
Cuba, which officially denies it has political prisoners, said those convicted of crimes against state security would not be among the 3,522 to be pardoned and released within three days. The announcement of pardons was made by the state-run media.
