[NYTr] Another Cuban Malcontent Released from Jail

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

sent by rick kissell

AP - Aug 15, 2007

Second Cuban Political Prisoner Released

By Associated Press

HAVANA --- Cuban authorities have released a dissident who was jailed 
three years ago on vague political charges, as the list of the
country's political prisoners gradually grows shorter, a veteran rights
activist said Wednesday.

Lazaro Gonzalez Adan, 37, who belonged to an independent labor
movement, was freed Tuesday from the prison in the eastern province of
Camaguey, where he lives, said Elizardo Sanchez of the National
Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation.

Police visited Gonzalez in October 2004 after he painted a Cuban flag 
and two quotes about liberty by independence hero Jose Marti on his 
house. Sanchez said he could not recall the exact quotes, which 
apparently were chosen to criticize the government.

When Gonzalez refused police demands to erase the paintings, he was 
arrested on charges of disrespect, disobedience to authorities and 
resisting arrest. He later received a three-year prison sentence.

The number of Cuban political prisoners dropped by more than 20 percent 
in the first year since Raul Castro took power from his ailing elder 
brother Fidel in July 2006, according to Sanchez's commission, which 
tracks prisoners of conscience.

According to the commission, 246 political prisoners were being held as 
of June 30, compared with 283 at the beginning of 2007 and 316 a year
ago.

Government opponents say they continue to be harassed by authorities 
despite the drop in political prisoners.

Dissident Francisco Chaviano was freed Friday following 13 years behind 
bars.