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July 25, 2008 7:23:39 AM CDT

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Raul Castro Empties Cuba's Death Row

Posted Apr 29, 08 8:31 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – New Cuban president Raul Castro has commuted all but three of the country's death sentences to prison terms of 30 years to life, reports Reuters. Castro, who also has been gradually easing the country's restrictions on daily life, said the death penalty would remain on the books to deter "imperialist mercenaries." The three prisoners remaining on death row are charged with terrorist offenses.

Source Reuters

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Raul Castro gestures as he attends a session of the National Assembly in Havana, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. .   (AP Photo/Ismael Francisco,Prensa Latina)
A Cuban flag waves in front of the National Hotel in Havana, Monday, March 31, 2008. New President Raul Castro's government has commuted all but three of the country's death sentences.   (AP Photo/Javier Galeano)
Cuban President Fidel Castro, left, and his brother, Raul Castro are shown in this 2004 file photo in Havana, Cuba.   (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera, file )
President Raul Castro has commuted all but three of the nation's death sentences.   (AP Photo/Ismael Francisco,Prensa Latina)
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Cuba  • capital punishment  • Raul Castro  • death sentence  • Cuban Revolution


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