Cuban dissident released
Published:Monday | March 14, 2011 | 3:45 PM
The Raul Castro administration in Cuba has freed a leading dissident who served more than 11 years in prison.
Oscar Elias Biscet was released on the weekend.
The 49-year-old doctor was serving a 25-year prison sentence for acts against the sovereignty and independence of the national territory under the notorious Law 88 of 1999, also known as the Gag Law.
Biscet founded the Lawton Foundation for Human Rights and Democracy, and has been active in a Christian-based campaign that opposes Cuba’s use of the drug Rivanol for late-term abortions.
His unrelenting criticism of the Cuban government, calls for peaceful civil disobedience and quiet manner have won him praise in and out of Cuba, as well as the 2007 Medal of Freedom awarded by US President George W. Bush.