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Solidarity groups declare victory as René González, a member of the Cuban Five, has been given permission to serve remaining portion of his three year parole in Cuba.
Washington (6 May 2013) - In a major development in the case of the Cuban Five, the court has finally granted a motion, first made last June, to allow René González to serve the remaining portion of his three-year parole in Cuba, after which he will remain in Cuba.
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René with family in Cuba |
Imprisoned for defending Cuba against terrorists
René González is a member of a group of five Cubans who have been imprisoned in the United States as a result of their trying to end terrorist attacks on Cuba. The others include Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, and Fernando González.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUGE) is a supporter of the campaign to win freedom for the Five. For more information on the Cuban Five click here.
Ruling frees René from unsafe living situation
Prior to this ruling the court required him to serve that parole at an undisclosed location in Florida. This places him in virtual seclusion due to threats to his life from anti-Cuban terrorists based in Florida. The same individuals René and the other members of the Cuban Five came to the U.S. to expose.
René was in Cuba attending a memorial service for his father Cándido, who died recently, when the announcement came.
Phil Horowitz, René's attorney, said: "René and I are happy that he will be able to be permanently reunited with his family. René's exemplary conduct shows that these are not individuals that the government has made them out to be. We are just so happy and will take all the steps pursuant to the court order."
Judges ruling sets out a few conditions
The 7-page court order by Judge Joan Lenard describes the requirements for his right to remain in Cuba. The principal requirement is that he renounce his citizenship, which he willingly offered to do previously (René held dual U.S.-Cuban citizenship). To renounce a U.S. citizenship, it must be done outside of the United States, as per U.S. federal code, Section 1481 (5).
This development gives renewed hope to supporters of the Cuban Five to continue the fight so that Gerardo, Ramón, Antonio and Fernando can return home immediately.
More information:
National Committee to Free the Cuban Five
NUPGE
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