New milestone in Cuban Five case

By Yurién Portelles

Reprinted from Daily Granma, Aug. 9

Cuban law professor Julio Fernández Bulté says that the upcoming hearing at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals of Atlanta on Aug. 20 marks a new milestone for the defense in the Cuban Five case.

Fernández Bulté told Prensa Latina that the hearing represents another opportunity to present arguments showing the five men were in the United States to thwart plots organized by Miami based groups to commit terrorist acts against Cuba.

The attorney said he does not expect the hearing before the Appeals Court to finally resolve the case of Gerardo Hernández, Antonio Guerrero, Ramón Labañino, Fernando González and Rene González, imprisoned in the U.S. for nearly nine years.

Nonetheless, Bulté said that it represents a ray of hope for groups around the world working for the freedom of the Cuban Five.

Among the charges the defense will focus on are those of conspiracy to commit murder and espionage for which Hernández was sentenced to two life sentences plus 15 years in prison.

Fernández said that the solidarity movement with the Cuban Five has been successful in their campaign to expose the truth and that the hearing in Atlanta is evidence that the United States feels the international community is watching how they handle this case. However, he emphasized that the moment has come to increase solidarity actions.

The Cuban law professor noted that the case is highly politicized with powerful interests involved, especially those of the White House, and that a major effort is needed to continue to expose the truth.