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NEWS
Posted on Wed, Apr. 11, 2007
Jailed Cuban
dissident wins prize
HAVANA -- (AP) -- Imprisoned independent journalist Normando Hernandez
Gonzalez has won the 2007 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award,
the writers group announced Tuesday in New York.
The annual prize honors writers who have been persecuted or jailed for
engaging in or defending freedom of expression. It is underwritten by
writer and historian Barbara Goldsmith, a PEN trustee.
The award will be presented at PEN's annual New York gala on April 30.
Hernandez Gonzalez, 38, was among 75 independent journalists, rights
activists and other critics of the Cuban government arrested in a March
2003 crackdown on the island's opposition.
Sixteen people in the group have since been released on medical parole,
leaving 59 -- including Hernandez Gonzalez -- behind bars.
Communist authorities tried the group on charges of working with the
U.S. government to undermine Fidel Castro's government -- accusations
the dissidents and American officials denied.
All were convicted and sentenced to long prison terms. Hernandez
Gonzalez, who directed a group of independent journalists in the eastern
province of Camaguey, got 25 years.
Collaboration: Anolan Ponce
(anolanponce@aol.com)
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