Antonio Michel Lima Cruz, left, and Marcos Maikel Lima Cruz
Cuban prisoner of conscience Marcos Maikel Lima Cruz, who has been hospitalized in Holguin since suffering a stroke on April 16, has been paroled because of his poor health.
Lima's father, Marcos Antonio Lima Dalmau, told Martinoticias that security officials informed the family that Lima Cruz, 35, had been granted an "extrapenal license" and that he would be released.
"Right away, they withrew the police presence that had been in the ward where he had been admitted," the elder Lima said.
Lima fell ill while exercising in a prison yard. Doctors said he had suffered a cerebral aneyusm brought on by a congeital condtion, and that he would need surgery.
At one point, Lima's condition was grave, but he has since stabilized.
Lima's parole finally interjects a bit of sanity into his case.
Along with his brother Antonio Michel, Marcos Antonio is an activist with the Patriotic Union of Cuba.
The pair were arrested Christmas Day 2010 as they marched through the streets of Holguin, complete with a Cuban flag, and chanted anti-government slogans while listening to the music of the Los Aldeanos, a popular hip-hop group.
In May 2011, they were tried and convicted on charges of "public disorder" and "insulting national symboks"
Marcos Maikel was sentenced to 3 years in prison, and Antonio Michel was sentenced to 2 years.
In March 2012, Amnesty International designated the Lima brothers as prisoners of conscience, jailed only because of their beliefs.
Antonio Lima was released in October 2012.
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