Nine Jamaicans Released from Prison in Cuba
Nine Jamaicans who were formerly imprisoned in Cuba are expected to return to the island in coming days.
This after over 3500 pardons were granted to prisoners in line with the expected visit of Pope Francis to the island.
The nine individuals consisting of eight men and one woman were held for various offences, including possession of drugs and trafficking.
The minimum sentences handed down for such crimes range from 10 years to over 25 years.
According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, it is understood that the decision was taken by the Cuban Council of State on the basis of criteria determined by the responsible ministries of the government.
Next of kin for the nine persons have also been alerted about their expected release from Cuban prison, the ministry also stated.
The ministry and the Jamaican Embassy in Havana have helped the pardoned prisoners and their families with the requisite procedures and formalities for their return to the country.
