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Havana, Prensa Latina.- Anti-terrorist fighter Gerardo Hernández of the Cuban Five, held in U.S. prisons since 1998, cannot receive visitors until further notice due to a general ban at the Victorville maximum security prison where he is serving his sentence. This was reported by Alicia Jrapko, coordinator of the International Free The Five Committee in the United States, in a message released today on the CubaDebate website.
«When we arrived at the prison we saw a sign that said: «No visits allowed until further notice.»We were not the only ones in that situation of surprise and disappointment,» said Jrapko.
A number of families were coming from all parts to visit their loved ones: mothers, wives, children, parents who wanted to share this day close to Christmas with their relatives who are locked up, said Jrapko, who was accompanied by U.S. photographer Bill Hackwell when she went to see Gerardo on Dec. 21.
Jrapko criticized the lack of compassion from a system that collectively punishes all prisoners for an offense committed by one, without caring the least about the sadness of the children who were striving to understand why they were unable to hug their fathers.
Gerardo Hernandez, along with Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labañino, Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez, was arrested 15 years ago and unfairly given harsh prison sentences for monitoring Miami-based terrorist groups operating against Cuba.
They are internationally known as the Cuban Five. Only Rene has been able to return to Cuba after serving his sentence and giving up his U.S. citizenship.
«We won’t deny the sadness we felt after our failed visit to Gerardo, but we returned more determined than ever to continue fighting for the release and return of the Cuban Five to Cuba,» said Jrapko in her message.
