February 13, 2011

Two jailed Cuban dissidents have been released against their will.

Hector Maseda and Angel Moya were freed on February 12.

Both men were among the 52 jailed dissidents that President Raul Castro promised to release in a deal brokered by the Roman Catholic Church.

Many were released after agreeing to exile in Spain, while the remainder has refused to leave Cuban soil.

Maseda and Moya had refused to leave jail until other political prisoners were freed.

Their release brings to seven the number of political dissidents left in jail after a 2003 crackdown saw a total of 75 dissidents arrested.

compiled from agency reports