Christian rights group welcomes release of Cuban church leader
by Charlie BoydPosted: Tuesday, September 7, 2010, 12:07 (BST)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide has welcomed the release of a respected
Cuban church leader who had been facing one year in prison over
accusations of "threatening behaviour".
The Rev Roberto Rodriguez was arrested unexpectedly last week and tried
in court but was cleared of the charge after his accusers gave
contradictory evidence against him.
The ruling has been welcomed by the 67-year-old pastor's family, who
said that the court in Placetas, central Cuba, had no choice but to find
him innocent.
Despite clearing him of the charge, the court still handed Rodriguez a
fine. CSW said it was not clear why he had been fined.
The ruling ends a two-year ordeal for the pastor who was first charged
in 2008. As no trial date had been set, he was forced to spend the last
21 months under house arrest until the hearing last Thursday.
CSW said his relatives had suffered verbal and physical abuse from
neighbours, apparently with the support of the government, and that the
family home had been vandalised.
CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said Rodriguez, a pastor for 48
years, had been targeted because his church had resisted attempts by the
government to interfere in its internal affairs.
He said the treatment suffered by the pastor over the last two years had
been a "disgrace".
Mr Thomas said: "CSW calls on the Cuban government to ensure that
restitution is made to the family for the damage caused to their house
by their now discredited accusers, and that they are allowed to return
to their home with the full guarantees of protection that are their
right as Cuban citizens."
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