
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Cuba to immediately release more than 700 political prisoners following the release of prominent dissident artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. Rubio praised the activist for standing up against Cuba's communist government and described the San Isidro Movement as a symbol of hope for the Cuban people. The artist has been granted humanitarian parole in the United States after spending five years in prison.

Marco Rubio urges Cuba to release 700 political prisoners after Dissident artist arrives in US

A French court on Thursday (July 17) ordered the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese activist and founder of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF), after four decades in jail. His case is a unique one, as 74-year-old Abdallah is one of the longest-serving political prisoners in France. He has been eligible for parole for decades now, but was never released, reportedly due to American and Israeli pressure. Abdallah has been a focus of international human rights advocates, with protests held in several parts of the world, and Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux saying his imprisonment “shamed France”.&nbsp;<h2>Why was Georges Ibrahim Abdallah in jail for four decades?</h2>Abdallah, in prison since 1984, was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life for complicity in the killings of Charles Robert Ray, a US military attaché, and Yacov Barsimantov, an Israeli diplomat. Though Abdallah was not the shooter, the murders were claimed by his group LARF. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hezbollah-war-israel-struck-over-50-terror-targets-in-lebanon-9013174/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hezbollah-war-israel-struck-over-50-terror-targets-in-lebanon-9013174/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>Georges Ibrahim Abdallah was freed after four decades. What is LARF?</h2>LARF is a Marxist-Communist and pro-Palestinian militant group founded by Abdallah in 1978 after he was injured during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It has links with Italy’s Red Brigades and Germany’s Red Army Faction. Before founding LARF, Abdallah was a guerrilla with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).<h2>Abdallah freed: 'I am a fighter, not a criminal'</h2>The trial on his final release lasted for weeks. At the trial, Abdallah declared: "The path I followed was imposed on me by the human rights abuses perpetrated against the Palestinians", while identifying himself as a fighter, not a criminal. He never expressed remorse for the murders. He also refused to give a court-ordered 16,000 euro compensation for the murders, saying, “I will never indemnify the country that drops bombs on Palestinian and Lebanese children.”<h2>Abdallah has now been imprisoned for 41 years</h2>While most prisoners who are sentenced to life in prison are released in under 30 years in France, Abdallah has spent 41 years behind bars.The European Court of Human Rights said in 2021 that French life sentences with parole only after 40 years violate European law.Aballah was eligible for parole since 1999, but 11 applications made by him were rejected.In November 2023, a French court granted Abdallah conditional release. The condition was that he leave France. But anti-terror prosecutors appealed the decision, &nbsp;citing his unchanged political views. Eventually, the decision was suspended. &nbsp;

Abdallah, in prison since 1984, was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life for complicity in the killings of Charles Robert Ray, a US military attaché and Yacov Barsimantov, an Israeli diplomat. 

A French court on Thursday (July 17) ordered the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese activist and founder of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF), after four decades in jail. His case is a unique one, as 74-year-old Abdallah is one of the longest-serving political prisoners in France. He has been eligible for parole for decades now, but was never released, reportedly due to American and Israeli pressure. Abdallah has been a focus of international human rights advocates, with protests held in several parts of the world, and Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux saying his imprisonment “shamed France”. Why was Georges Ibrahim Abdallah in jail for four decades? Abdallah, in prison since 1984, was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life for complicity in the killings of Charles Robert Ray, a US military attaché, and Yacov Barsimantov, an Israeli diplomat. Though Abdallah was not the shooter, the murders were claimed by his group LARF. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hezbollah-war-israel-struck-over-50-terror-targets-in-lebanon-9013174/embed Georges Ibrahim Abdallah was freed after four decades. What is LARF? LARF is a Marxist-Communist and pro-Palestinian militant group founded by Abdallah in 1978 after he was injured during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It has links with Italy’s Red Brigades and Germany’s Red Army Faction. Before founding LARF, Abdallah was a guerrilla with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Abdallah freed: 'I am a fighter, not a criminal' The trial on his final release lasted for weeks. At the trial, Abdallah declared: "The path I followed was imposed on me by the human rights abuses perpetrated against the Palestinians", while identifying himself as a fighter, not a criminal. He never expressed remorse for the murders. He also refused to give a court-ordered 16,000 euro compensation for the murders, saying, “I will never indemnify the country that drops bombs on Palestinian and Lebanese children.” Abdallah has now been imprisoned for 41 years While most prisoners who are sentenced to life in prison are released in under 30 years in France, Abdallah has spent 41 years behind bars. The European Court of Human Rights said in 2021 that French life sentences with parole only after 40 years violate European law. Aballah was eligible for parole since 1999, but 11 applications made by him were rejected. In November 2023, a French court granted Abdallah conditional release. The condition was that he leave France. But anti-terror prosecutors appealed the decision, citing his unchanged political views. Eventually, the decision was suspended.

Abdallah, in prison since 1984, was convicted in 1987 and sentenced to life for complicity in the killings of Charles Robert Ray, a US military attaché and Yacov Barsimantov, an Israeli diplomat.&nbsp;

Lebanese militant who spent 40 years in jail released by French court. Who is Georges Ibrahim Abdallah and why is his case unique?

Myanmar authorities have rearrested around 110 political prisoners who were freed earlier this week under the general amnesty announcement by the junta, reported local media.

Family members have said that some of their loved ones were re-arrested "right at the entrance of the prison," while others were taken back within hours of returning home, reported Radio Free Asia [RFA].

Citing sources, the publication said, the detainees are now being held in police custody under Myanmar's anti-terrorism law.

"We are devastated - our mother is 84 and her health is deteriorating," RFA quoted a family member of Lay Lay Naing as saying, on condition of anonymity.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-alarmed-by-myanmar-military-moves-419172">UN alarmed by Myanmar military moves</a>

Naing was arrested on May 21 and sentenced to three years in prison for charges of spreading "false news [or] agitates directly or indirectly a criminal offense against a government employee," "We went to meet her at the prison, hoping that the whole family would be reunited and happy.

We saw her from a distance, and she was taken away. We were not allowed to say anything," the family member added.

According to the publication, the junta on Monday had released 1,316 prisoners from various facilities throughout the country as well as 4,320 detainees who faced ongoing cases for anti-junta activities, including well-known politicians, celebrities, film actors and journalists.

But the re-arrest suggests that the amnesty was only a bid by the junta to appease the international community amid criticism of its rule, observers told RFA.

Earlier in June also, the junta had announced a general amnesty and freed nearly 200 detainees from detention across the country. On February 1, the military seized power in Myanmar, imprisoning the nation's de facto ruler Aung San Suu Kyi and then President Win Myint and prompting mass protests demanding a return to civilian rule.

Myanmar authorities have rearrested around 110 political prisoners who were freed earlier this week under the general amnesty announcement by the junta, reported local media.

Myanmar authorities have rearrested around 110 political prisoners who were freed earlier this week under the general amnesty announcement by the junta, reported local media. Family members have said that some of their loved ones were re-arrested "right at the entrance of the prison," while others were taken back within hours of returning home, reported Radio Free Asia [RFA]. Citing sources, the publication said, the detainees are now being held in police custody under Myanmar's anti-terrorism law. "We are devastated - our mother is 84 and her health is deteriorating," RFA quoted a family member of Lay Lay Naing as saying, on condition of anonymity. Also Read | UN alarmed by Myanmar military moves Naing was arrested on May 21 and sentenced to three years in prison for charges of spreading "false news [or] agitates directly or indirectly a criminal offense against a government employee," "We went to meet her at the prison, hoping that the whole family would be reunited and happy. We saw her from a distance, and she was taken away. We were not allowed to say anything," the family member added. According to the publication, the junta on Monday had released 1,316 prisoners from various facilities throughout the country as well as 4,320 detainees who faced ongoing cases for anti-junta activities, including well-known politicians, celebrities, film actors and journalists. But the re-arrest suggests that the amnesty was only a bid by the junta to appease the international community amid criticism of its rule, observers told RFA. Earlier in June also, the junta had announced a general amnesty and freed nearly 200 detainees from detention across the country. On February 1, the military seized power in Myanmar, imprisoning the nation's de facto ruler Aung San Suu Kyi and then President Win Myint and prompting mass protests demanding a return to civilian rule.

Myanmar authorities re-arrest over 100 political prisoners after amnesty

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus.&nbsp;

The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, which is an annual conference sponsored by 25 human rights NGOs all across the globe, gave the Moral Courage Award to Navalny.&nbsp;

Navalny has been imprisoned in a penal colony near Moscow for four months now. He was sentenced to over three years in prison by a Moscow court in February for violating the terms of his probation linked to a 2014 ruling.&nbsp;

Navalny's daughter, Daria Navalny, in a virtual speech accepting the award on his behalf, said, “My dad asked me today to give this award to every single political prisoner in Russia and Belarus”.&nbsp;

Citing a letter she received from her father, she said, “He wrote that most of them are in a much worse situation compared to me because they're not well known or famous. They should know that they are not alone or forgotten about”.

She described herself "as a proud daughter and as a Russian citizen, concerned about the fast downfall of democracy in my country”.&nbsp;

Navalny will be required to spend two years and eight months in prison as he has served a year on house arrest in 2014. Doctors have expressed concerns about his health while in prison.&nbsp;

Navalny also temporarily went on a hunger strike at one point to gain access to better medical care. He began refusing food to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour.&nbsp;

As per his supporters, Navalny had already lost eight kilograms in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus.

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny received a human rights award on Tuesday, May 8, and he dedicated the prize to all the political prisoners in Russia and Belarus. The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, which is an annual conference sponsored by 25 human rights NGOs all across the globe, gave the Moral Courage Award to Navalny. Navalny has been imprisoned in a penal colony near Moscow for four months now. He was sentenced to over three years in prison by a Moscow court in February for violating the terms of his probation linked to a 2014 ruling. Navalny's daughter, Daria Navalny, in a virtual speech accepting the award on his behalf, said, “My dad asked me today to give this award to every single political prisoner in Russia and Belarus”. Citing a letter she received from her father, she said, “He wrote that most of them are in a much worse situation compared to me because they're not well known or famous. They should know that they are not alone or forgotten about”. She described herself "as a proud daughter and as a Russian citizen, concerned about the fast downfall of democracy in my country”. Navalny will be required to spend two years and eight months in prison as he has served a year on house arrest in 2014. Doctors have expressed concerns about his health while in prison. Navalny also temporarily went on a hunger strike at one point to gain access to better medical care. He began refusing food to demand treatment for acute pain in his back that’s spreading to his legs, and an end to prison guards waking him each hour. As per his supporters, Navalny had already lost eight kilograms in the three weeks before beginning the hunger strike, taking his weight to 85 kilograms. (With inputs from agencies)

Navalny dedicates human rights award to political prisoners in Russia and Belarus 

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with&nbsp;Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters.

"It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was also attended by&nbsp;Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

"We tried not to accuse his side too much because we don't care who's causing it," Muhyiddin added. "We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, it's the other side that's causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop."

ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which an activist monitoring group says have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement&nbsp;erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup. They also wanted the release of political prisoners.

"He did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said.

According to a statement from group chair Brunei, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to&nbsp;Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release.

"He (Min Aung Hlaing) said he heard us, he would take the point in, which he considered helpful," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters.

"He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance."

But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because it is one thing to say you will cease violence and release political prisoners, it is another thing to get it done".

It was not clear why Lee referred to the release of political prisoners when this was not in the five consensus points.

There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing.

A regular nighttime news bulletin on the military-run Myawaddy TV reported his attendance of the meeting and said&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;would closely cooperate with ASEAN on various issues, including "the political transition in&nbsp;Myanmar, and the process that will be implemented in the future".

Charles Santiago, head of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights group, called for the release of&nbsp;Myanmar's political prisoners and a timeline for an end to violence.

"ASEAN must now act swiftly and set a clear timeline for Min Aung Hlaing to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable," he said.

'RESTORE DEMOCRACY'

The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in&nbsp;Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand, since the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;is part of the 10-nation ASEAN, which has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members.

Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but said the junta had to be held to its promises.

"We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG.

It was unusual for the leader of a military government in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian.

The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines.

While ASEAN's non-interference policy makes it difficult to tackle contentious issues, the body is seen by the United Nations, China and the United States as best placed to deal with the junta directly.

"We in the [@UN] Security Council eagerly await the outcome of the @ASEAN meeting on Burma, which deserves serious and immediate attention," U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters.

Southeast Asian leaders said they had agreed on a plan with Myanmar's junta chief on Saturday to end the crisis in the violence-hit nation, but he did not explicitly respond to demands to halt the killing of civilian protesters. "It's beyond our expectation," Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the leaders' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that was also attended by Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. "We tried not to accuse his side too much because we don't care who's causing it," Muhyiddin added. "We just stressed that the violence must stop. For him, it's the other side that's causing the problems. But he agreed that violence must stop." ASEAN leaders wanted a commitment from Min Aung Hlaing to restrain his security forces, which an activist monitoring group says have killed 745 people since a mass civil disobedience movement erupted to challenge his Feb. 1 coup. They also wanted the release of political prisoners. "He did not reject what was put forward by me and many other colleagues," Muhyiddin said. According to a statement from group chair Brunei, a consensus was reached on five points - ending violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, a special ASEAN envoy to facilitate the dialogue, acceptance of aid and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar. The five-point consensus did not mention political prisoners, although the chairman's statement said the meeting "heard calls" for their release. "He (Min Aung Hlaing) said he heard us, he would take the point in, which he considered helpful," Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told reporters. "He was not opposed to ASEAN playing a constructive role, or an ASEAN delegation visit, or humanitarian assistance." But Lee added the process had a long way to go, "because it is one thing to say you will cease violence and release political prisoners, it is another thing to get it done". It was not clear why Lee referred to the release of political prisoners when this was not in the five consensus points. There was no immediate comment from Min Aung Hlaing. A regular nighttime news bulletin on the military-run Myawaddy TV reported his attendance of the meeting and said Myanmar would closely cooperate with ASEAN on various issues, including "the political transition in Myanmar, and the process that will be implemented in the future". Charles Santiago, head of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights group, called for the release of Myanmar's political prisoners and a timeline for an end to violence. "ASEAN must now act swiftly and set a clear timeline for Min Aung Hlaing to deliver on ending the violence, or stand ready to hold him accountable," he said. 'RESTORE DEMOCRACY' The ASEAN gathering was the first coordinated international effort to ease the crisis in Myanmar, an impoverished country that neighbours China, India and Thailand, since the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. Myanmar is part of the 10-nation ASEAN, which has a policy of consensus decision-making and non-interference in the affairs of its members. Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprised of pro-democracy figures, remnants of Suu Kyi's ousted administration and representatives of armed ethnic groups, said it welcomed the consensus reached but said the junta had to be held to its promises. "We look forward to firm action by ASEAN to follow up its decisions and to restore our democracy," said Dr. Sasa, spokesman for the NUG. It was unusual for the leader of a military government in Myanmar to attend an ASEAN summit - usually the country has been represented by a lower-ranked officer or a civilian. The leaders of Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Brunei were at the meeting, along with the foreign ministers of Laos, Thailand and the Philippines. While ASEAN's non-interference policy makes it difficult to tackle contentious issues, the body is seen by the United Nations, China and the United States as best placed to deal with the junta directly. "We in the [@UN] Security Council eagerly await the outcome of the @ASEAN meeting on Burma, which deserves serious and immediate attention," U.S Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield tweeted.

SE Asian nations say consensus reached on ending Myanmar crisis

Alexander Lukashenko, the embattled Belarusian president who has ruled the country for 27 years, has said that his country has never had any political prisoners.

"If someone takes a criminal code or our other laws and shows at least one political article in the criminal code and says somebody has been sentenced based on that political article, we will think which decisions to make. We have never had, and we don't have, any political prisoners," said Alexander Lukashenko, in a speech to the national assembly.

Lukashenko also said that a new constitution will be adopted in a referendum this year.

"Probably, we will combine it with local elections," he said.

Mass protests have gripped the ex-Soviet nation of 9.5 million people since official results from the August 9 presidential election gave Lukashenko a landslide victory and a sixth term at office.

The main opposition candidate, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and her supporters have dismissed the result as rigged, and some poll workers also have described manipulations of the vote.

Authorities have cracked down hard on the largely peaceful demonstrations, the biggest of which attracted up to 200,000 people.

Police have used stun grenades, tear gas and truncheons to disperse the rallies.

According to human rights advocates, more than 30,000 people have been detained since the protests began, and thousands of them were brutally beaten.

Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for more than 26 years, relentlessly stifling dissent and relying on cheap energy and other subsidies from his main ally, Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

Alexander Lukashenko, the embattled Belarusian president who has ruled the country for 27 years, has said that his country has never had any political prisoners.

Alexander Lukashenko, the embattled Belarusian president who has ruled the country for 27 years, has said that his country has never had any political prisoners. "If someone takes a criminal code or our other laws and shows at least one political article in the criminal code and says somebody has been sentenced based on that political article, we will think which decisions to make. We have never had, and we don't have, any political prisoners," said Alexander Lukashenko, in a speech to the national assembly. Lukashenko also said that a new constitution will be adopted in a referendum this year. "Probably, we will combine it with local elections," he said. Mass protests have gripped the ex-Soviet nation of 9.5 million people since official results from the August 9 presidential election gave Lukashenko a landslide victory and a sixth term at office. The main opposition candidate, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and her supporters have dismissed the result as rigged, and some poll workers also have described manipulations of the vote. Authorities have cracked down hard on the largely peaceful demonstrations, the biggest of which attracted up to 200,000 people. Police have used stun grenades, tear gas and truncheons to disperse the rallies. According to human rights advocates, more than 30,000 people have been detained since the protests began, and thousands of them were brutally beaten. Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for more than 26 years, relentlessly stifling dissent and relying on cheap energy and other subsidies from his main ally, Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

No political prisoners in Belarus: Alexander Lukashenko

Members of a pro-democracy group marched towards the Hong Kong exhibition centre calling for the vindication of June 4th and the release of all political prisoners on Thursday (October 1) morning, as the city prepares to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Hong Kong protesters call for release of political prisoners as city celebrates national day

Nicaragua said on Monday it released 50 political prisoners under a new law that frees people arrested amid a year of anti-government protests while also protecting police and others who violently clamped down on the demonstrations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-warns-nicaragua-of-sanctions-over-rights-abuses-191810">Street protests</a> erupted in April 2018 when President Daniel Ortega tried to cut welfare benefits, and spiralled into a broader protest movement against the president`s rule.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nicaragua-expels-international-human-rights-missions-185454">United Nations</a>` top human rights official, as well as local opposition groups, have blasted the legislation as a way to grant impunity to those who committed crimes during the crackdowns.&nbsp;

The law extends protections to "people who have not been investigated, who find themselves under investigation" or in criminal processes and "complying with their sentences," according to the text. It also bans freed political prisoners from launching further anti-government protests.&nbsp;

"I`m free, but I still feel imprisoned," said Hansell Vasquez, one of the freed inmates.&nbsp;

Nicaragua`s Interior Ministry said the 50 people it recently released had been arrested for crimes against public safety, and that it planned to release others detained on the same charges.&nbsp;

More than 700 people were arrested in demonstrations and 325 mostly opposition protesters died in clashes with security forces, rights groups say. More than 60,000 Nicaraguans have gone into exile because of political strife over the past 14 months.

Ortega has pledged to release those detained in the anti-government protests as a gesture of good faith to the opposition and a bid at national dialogue.&nbsp;

Nearly 200 detainees whom the opposition describes as political prisoners remain behind bars, while 520 others have been freed, according to a rights group that supports those arrested during the protests.&nbsp;

Nicaragua said on Monday it released 50 political prisoners under a new law that frees people arrested amid a year of anti-government protests while also protecting police and others who violently clamped down on the demonstrations.

Nicaragua said on Monday it released 50 political prisoners under a new law that frees people arrested amid a year of anti-government protests while also protecting police and others who violently clamped down on the demonstrations. Street protests erupted in April 2018 when President Daniel Ortega tried to cut welfare benefits, and spiralled into a broader protest movement against the president`s rule. The United Nations` top human rights official, as well as local opposition groups, have blasted the legislation as a way to grant impunity to those who committed crimes during the crackdowns. The law extends protections to "people who have not been investigated, who find themselves under investigation" or in criminal processes and "complying with their sentences," according to the text. It also bans freed political prisoners from launching further anti-government protests. "I`m free, but I still feel imprisoned," said Hansell Vasquez, one of the freed inmates. Nicaragua`s Interior Ministry said the 50 people it recently released had been arrested for crimes against public safety, and that it planned to release others detained on the same charges. More than 700 people were arrested in demonstrations and 325 mostly opposition protesters died in clashes with security forces, rights groups say. More than 60,000 Nicaraguans have gone into exile because of political strife over the past 14 months. Ortega has pledged to release those detained in the anti-government protests as a gesture of good faith to the opposition and a bid at national dialogue. Nearly 200 detainees whom the opposition describes as political prisoners remain behind bars, while 520 others have been freed, according to a rights group that supports those arrested during the protests.

Nicaragua releases political prisoners under contentious new amnesty law

The beleaguered Maldives government Sunday ordered police and troops to reject any move by the Supreme Court to arrest or impeach President Abdulla Yameen over his refusal to release political prisoners.

The tiny tourist archipelago has been plunged into a political crisis pitting the country&#39;s top court against Yameen, whose crackdown on dissent has tarnished the nation&#39;s image as an upmarket holiday paradise.

On Thursday &mdash; in a move that surprised many &mdash; judges ordered authorities to release nine political dissidents and restore the seats of 12 legislators who had been sacked for defecting from Yameen&#39;s party, ruling the cases were politically motivated.

But the Yameen government has so far refused, shuttering parliament and resisting international calls to comply.

In a national television address on Sunday Attorney General Mohamed Anil said the government remained defiant.

&quot;Any Supreme Court order to arrest the president would be unconstitutional and illegal. So I have asked the police and the army not to implement any unconstitutional order,&quot; Anil said.

The reinstatement of the dozen legislators gave the opposition a majority in the 85-member assembly, and it can now potentially impeach Yameen.

However the authorities shut parliament indefinitely on Saturday to avert such a move. Yameen also sacked two police chiefs after the court&#39;s decision.

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party &mdash; led by the country&#39;s first democratically-elected president Mohamed Nasheed &mdash; has urged the government to respect the top court&#39;s decision, fearing any refusal might trigger unrest in the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims.

The Maldivian government said Friday it had concerns about releasing those convicted for &quot;terrorism, corruption, embezzlement, and treason&quot;.

The United Nations, Australia, Britain, Canada, India and the United States welcomed the court&#39;s decision as a move towards restoring democracy in the politically troubled Indian Ocean nation.

Nasheed was barred from contesting any election in the Maldives after a controversial 2015 terrorism conviction which was internationally criticised as politically motivated. He lives abroad after travelling out of the country in 2016 on prison leave for medical treatment.

In a national television address on Sunday Attorney General Mohamed Anil said the government remained defiant

The beleaguered Maldives government Sunday ordered police and troops to reject any move by the Supreme Court to arrest or impeach President Abdulla Yameen over his refusal to release political prisoners. The tiny tourist archipelago has been plunged into a political crisis pitting the country's top court against Yameen, whose crackdown on dissent has tarnished the nation's image as an upmarket holiday paradise. On Thursday — in a move that surprised many — judges ordered authorities to release nine political dissidents and restore the seats of 12 legislators who had been sacked for defecting from Yameen's party, ruling the cases were politically motivated. But the Yameen government has so far refused, shuttering parliament and resisting international calls to comply. In a national television address on Sunday Attorney General Mohamed Anil said the government remained defiant. "Any Supreme Court order to arrest the president would be unconstitutional and illegal. So I have asked the police and the army not to implement any unconstitutional order," Anil said. The reinstatement of the dozen legislators gave the opposition a majority in the 85-member assembly, and it can now potentially impeach Yameen. However the authorities shut parliament indefinitely on Saturday to avert such a move. Yameen also sacked two police chiefs after the court's decision. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party — led by the country's first democratically-elected president Mohamed Nasheed — has urged the government to respect the top court's decision, fearing any refusal might trigger unrest in the nation of 340,000 Sunni Muslims. The Maldivian government said Friday it had concerns about releasing those convicted for "terrorism, corruption, embezzlement, and treason". The United Nations, Australia, Britain, Canada, India and the United States welcomed the court's decision as a move towards restoring democracy in the politically troubled Indian Ocean nation. Nasheed was barred from contesting any election in the Maldives after a controversial 2015 terrorism conviction which was internationally criticised as politically motivated. He lives abroad after travelling out of the country in 2016 on prison leave for medical treatment.

Maldives govt warns Supreme Court against impeachment move

Cuba has pardoned 787 convicts in response to Pope Francis&#39; Holy Year call to all heads of state for acts of clemency, the ruling Communist Party newspaper, Granma, reported on Tuesday.

Those pardoned include women, youths, people who are ill and &quot;other categories&quot;, according to Granma. A list of names has not been made public. Cuba, which has denied that it has political prisoners, said those convicted of murder, rape, child abuse and drug trafficking would be excluded from the pardons.

Pope Francis chose the theme of mercy for the Holy Year that Roman Catholics began celebrating last December. The period, officially proclaimed by the pontiff as the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, will end on Sunday.

Earlier this month in Vatican City, during a special Jubilee mass for prisoners, Pope Francis asked authorities worldwide to consider &quot;the possibility of carrying out an act of clemency towards prisoners they think can benefit from such a provision&quot;.

&ldquo;We&#39;re very happy with this decision by the Cuban state,&quot; said Dionisio Garcia, president of the Cuban Bishops&#39; Conference.

&nbsp;

The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, a non-government organisation&nbsp;that monitors human rights and prisoners&#39; issues, said it had not received any reports of what it views as political prisoners being freed. &quot;Until now, they are all common prisoners,&quot; said Gerardo Sanchez, the group&#39;s spokesman.

In September 2015, Cuba pardoned 3,522 common prisoners in what it called a humanitarian gesture ahead of a visit by Pope Francis, repeating similar actions it took before two previous papal visits.

Cuba has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, according to the London-based Institute for Criminal Policy Research, with 510 out of every 100,000 citizens behind bars. Cuban dissidents have said they are often targeted by authorities, most often detained for a few hours or days, for having a different opinion. The government has long considered dissidents a tiny and illegitimate minority.

In December 2014, the United States freed three convicted Cuban spies in return for the release of US&nbsp;foreign aid worker Alan Gross, imprisoned in Cuba in 2009, and of an intelligence agent who spied for the United States and had been held for nearly 20 years.

In January 2015, the Obama administration said that Cuba had completed the release of 53 prisoners it had promised to free during efforts to normalise relations between the two countries. The Commission for Human Rights estimates that Cuba is holding around 100 political prisoners.

(Reuters)

Those pardoned include women, youths, people who are ill and 'other categories', according to the Communist Party newspaper Granma

Cuba has pardoned 787 convicts in response to Pope Francis' Holy Year call to all heads of state for acts of clemency, the ruling Communist Party newspaper, Granma, reported on Tuesday. Those pardoned include women, youths, people who are ill and "other categories", according to Granma. A list of names has not been made public. Cuba, which has denied that it has political prisoners, said those convicted of murder, rape, child abuse and drug trafficking would be excluded from the pardons. Pope Francis chose the theme of mercy for the Holy Year that Roman Catholics began celebrating last December. The period, officially proclaimed by the pontiff as the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, will end on Sunday. Earlier this month in Vatican City, during a special Jubilee mass for prisoners, Pope Francis asked authorities worldwide to consider "the possibility of carrying out an act of clemency towards prisoners they think can benefit from such a provision". “We're very happy with this decision by the Cuban state," said Dionisio Garcia, president of the Cuban Bishops' Conference. The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation, a non-government organisation that monitors human rights and prisoners' issues, said it had not received any reports of what it views as political prisoners being freed. "Until now, they are all common prisoners," said Gerardo Sanchez, the group's spokesman. In September 2015, Cuba pardoned 3,522 common prisoners in what it called a humanitarian gesture ahead of a visit by Pope Francis, repeating similar actions it took before two previous papal visits. Cuba has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, according to the London-based Institute for Criminal Policy Research, with 510 out of every 100,000 citizens behind bars. Cuban dissidents have said they are often targeted by authorities, most often detained for a few hours or days, for having a different opinion. The government has long considered dissidents a tiny and illegitimate minority. In December 2014, the United States freed three convicted Cuban spies in return for the release of US foreign aid worker Alan Gross, imprisoned in Cuba in 2009, and of an intelligence agent who spied for the United States and had been held for nearly 20 years. In January 2015, the Obama administration said that Cuba had completed the release of 53 prisoners it had promised to free during efforts to normalise relations between the two countries. The Commission for Human Rights estimates that Cuba is holding around 100 political prisoners. (Reuters)

Cuba pardons 787 convicts after Pope asks world leaders to show clemency