Factbox: Cuban political prisoners to be freed

(Reuters) - The Catholic church said Cuba will free 52 political prisoners, the most since 101 were released after Pope John Paul II visited the communist-led island in 1998.

The releases will follow the initiation in May of dialogue between the Cuban government and the Catholic church, and coincided with a visit to Cuba by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.

The following are some facts about Cuba's political prisoners:

* Before the releases, the independent Cuban Commission on Human Rights reported this week that Cuba had 167 political prisoners, the lowest number since the 1959 revolution that put Fidel Castro in power. That number includes 10 who are out of jail on parole and three who were convicted in 1997 Havana bombings.

* Cuba freed 3,600 political prisoners after Fidel Castro met with Cuban exiles in 1978.

* After Pope John Paul II's visit, Cuba freed about 300 prisoners, of which 101 were political prisoners and the others were in jail for common crimes.

* In his last visit to Cuba, in October 2009, Moratinos secured the release of one political prisoner. In 2008, he gained the release on parole of four prisoners, who were among 75 jailed in a 2003 government crackdown.

* Minor prisoner releases have taken place over the years, usually as a goodwill gesture accompanying the visit of a dignitary such as former U.S. President Jimmy Carter or other foreign representatives

* Cuban dissidents accuse Havana of using prisoner releases for political gain

* Cuban leaders view the prisoners, and dissidents in general, as mercenaries working for the United States and other enemies intent on toppling the communist government.

* Most of the political prisoners freed previously have left Cuba and gone to the United States or Spain to live.

(Reporting by Nelson Acosta in Havana; Editing by Jeff Franks and Paul Simao)