Three Activists Arrested During Visit of Pope Francis Are Released

Three Activists Arrested During Visit of Pope Francis Are Released /
14ymedio
Posted on November 9, 2015

14ymedio, Havana, 9 November 2015 – This Monday afternoon the three
activists arrested during Pope Francis's visit were released. Zaqueo
Baez Guerrero and Ismael Bonet, members of the Patriot Union of Cuba
(UNPACU), and the Lady in White Maria Josefa Acon Sardina, were released
pending trial as corroborated by 14ymedio in a telephone call from one
of those released.

For nearly 50 days, the three dissidents had been held at the police
station known as 100 y Aldabó in Havana, for approaching the bBishop of
Rome on his arrival at the Plaza of the Revolution in the capital, on 20
September.

Within hours of the arrest, Baez managed to communicate with the leader
of his organization, Jose Daniel Ferrer, who told the press: "Zaqueo
told me that he managed to make it to where the Pope was and to tell him
the truth and to shout 'Freedom!'."

During the first days of imprisonment, two of the regime opponents went
on a hunger strike, but later they ceased to fast. UNPACU maintained a
strong campaign for their release under the slogan "The three who
reached the Pope," which included marches in the east and other cities
in the country.

The activists were charged with the offenses of assault, disrespect,
public disorder and resisting arrest, according to what was detailed by
family members who were able to visit them during their confinement.

Source: Three Activists Arrested During Visit of Pope Francis Are
Released / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/three-activists-arrested-during-visit-of-pope-francis-are-released-14ymedio/