Cuba prepares to free prisoners

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba gathered political prisoners and their families in Havana on Sunday as it prepared to release the first of 52 jailed dissidents to Spain in a deal with the Catholic Church, dissidents and family members said on Sunday.

It was expected, but not confirmed that they would fly to Madrid on Monday, they said, marking the start of Cuba's biggest release of jailed dissidents since 1998.

The church said on Saturday 17 prisoners would be freed soon, but it was not known how many would go on the first flight. The rest were to be released over the next few months.

Family members and prisoners were being kept in separate facilities and had been told they would likely not see each other until they get to the plane.

They were being given medical examinations ahead of the trip, dissidents said.

The surprising decision to release the 52, announced on Wednesday, has been welcomed by the United States and other countries which pressed the government to free its imprisoned opponents and improve human rights.

The government has not explained the reasons for the release, but it is battling a serious financial crisis and wants to mend a damaged international reputation.

Cuba was widely criticized for the February 23 death of imprisoned dissident Orlando Zapata Tamayo after an 85-day hunger strike for better prison conditions.

It drew further condemnation for the harassment of the dissident group "Ladies in White" during protest marches in March and April.

LARGER CHURCH ROLE

The announcement on the releases followed a May 19 meeting between Cuban President Raul Castro and Cardinal Jaime Ortega, who has recently taken a larger public role on the island.

Cuba wants the prisoners to leave because it views dissidents as U.S.-backed mercenaries trying to undermine the communist government.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos agreed in meetings last week in Havana to accept the prisoners if they want to leave Cuba.

Ladies in White leader Laura Pollan said so far at least 26 prisoners have been asked to go to Spain, 20 of whom accepted.

It is not yet clear, she said, if those who want to stay in Cuba will be freed.

Pollan spoke to reporters after the Ladies in White staged their usual Sunday protest march along Havana's Fifth Avenue, as they have every week for seven years.

The women have demanded freedom for the 52, who are their husbands and sons jailed in a 2003 government crackdown.

But Pollan said the marches will continue until all of Cuba's more than 150 political prisoners are freed.

"While there is one political prisoner or prisoner of conscience, there will be Ladies in White," she said. "This is what we pledged from the beginning and the Ladies will keep that promise."

Cuban officials have not yet spoken to Pollan's imprisoned husband, Hector Maceda, about whether he will go to Spain, but she said that even if he leaves, she will not.

"I will stay here with the Ladies," she said, prompting shouts of "viva Laura" from fellow group members.

In 1998, Cuba freed 101 political prisoners and about 200 convicted criminals following a visit by Pope John Paul II.

(Editing by Alan Elsner)