Health crisis for imprisoned journalist

Alfredo Pulido

Committee to Protect Journalists has the latest on independent journalist Alfredo Pulido, who was arrested during the "black spring" of March-April 2003, and sentenced to 14 years in prison.

As is the case with most Cuban political prisoners, Pulido's health is in danger:

New York, February 16, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about a report of deteriorating health of independent journalist Alfredo Pulido López, who has been imprisoned in Cuba for almost four years.

Pulido López, 46, is suffering from serious breathing and stomach ailments, his wife Rebeca Rodríguez Souto told CPJ.

The journalist is receiving medical care in prison, but his wife said the living conditions are unbearable. According to Rodríguez Souto, Pulido López is being held in a room with at least 100 hardened prisoners in Camagüey’s Kilo 7 Prison, where he was transferred in August 2004. Rodríguez Souto said that her husband has witnessed continuous acts of violence among the inmates and fears for his life.

CPJ’s attempts to reach Kilo 7 Prison in Camagüey were unsuccessful.

Rodríguez Souto told CPJ that she has petitioned authorities to release her husband on medical parole. but has yet to receive a response.

To read the whole CPJ news release, go here.

For more on Pulido, read Uncommon Sense's March 18 Project.