May Day 2002 - Havana, Cuba
In a monumental decision on the case of the five Cubans who were convicted in a 2001 Miami trial, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the convictions of the men known as the Cuban Five, and ordered a new trial.
Attorney Leonard Weinglass characterized the 93-page decision as "one of the most extensive opinions on venue and the issue of fair trial ever made. It is the first time that an appeals court has overturned a federal trial based on venue in the history of the United States."
The five men, Gerardo Hernandez, Antonio Guerrero, Ramon Labanino, Rene Gonzalez, and Fernando Gonz"lez, were sentenced in the seven-month trial to 15 years to double life, sentences which are now revoked. They will remain detained in the current prisons during the first 20-day period of appeals open to federal prosecutors.
Gloria La Riva, coordinator of the National Committee to Free the Cuban Five, said, "This is a huge victory! We are ecstatic about this decision. It confirms that the five Cubans are completely innocent, we know they always were.
'We are hopeful that the federal government won't seek a new trial. The judges' decision is unanimous, and a resounding defeat of the U.S.-backed Miami terrorist network that persecuted the Five.'
For further info: Free the 5
( photo: Gloria La Riva)
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