Prison sentences sought for hospital deaths

A number of employees at Cuba's largest psychiatric hospital have been found guilty of causing the deaths of 26 patients during a cold snap last year.



Media in Cuba say the defendants were found guilty of negligence and misuse of funds.



Prosecutors have asked for prison terms ranging from six to 14 years.



The defendants include the director of the Havana Psychiatric Hospital, several deputy directors, the head of nursing and the hospital’s dietician.



Cuba’s Health Ministry launched an investigation in response to reports from the independent Cuban Commission on Human Rights that at least 26 patients at the hospital died of hypothermia.



The commission said that the hospital failed to do enough to protect the patients from cold temperatures including fixing faulty windows.