Federal Court Overturns "Cuban 5" Espionage Conviction, Calls for New Trial

Interview with attorney Leonard Weinglass, conducted by Denise Manzari

On Aug. 9, in a landmark decision, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Ga. overturned the convictions of the Cuban 5 and awarded them a new trial with a change in venue. The three-judge panel based their decision on the premise that the five men could not get a fair trial in Miami, a hotbed of anti-Castro activism.

The five men, Gerardo Hernandez, Rene Gonzalez, Ruben Campa, Antonio Guerrero and Luis Medina are hailed as heroes in Cuba. Charged by the U.S. government with spying on U.S. military bases and exile leaders in Miami for Cuba, the five were arrested in Florida in 1998 and were tried and convicted of espionage, conspiracy and other charges.

However, the Cuban government claims the five were in Miami to monitor the actions of the violent, right-wing Cuban exile community in order to protect Cuba from terrorist attacks. All five remained incarcerated for almost three years before their trial began in Miami in 2001 which critics say was rife with prejudice, media bias and even juror harassment.

Two of the men were sentenced to 20 years and three were given life sentences. Leonard Weinglass is one of the attorneys representing Antonio Guerrero of the Cuban 5. Between The Lines' Denise Manzari spoke with him about the significance of the appeal and what it means for U.S.-Cuba relations.

For more information on the case, call the National Committee to Free the Five at (415) 821-6545 or visit their website at www.freethefive.org.

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