Christian Pastor Freed in Cuba After 126 Days Imprisonment

Christians are celebrating the release of a Cuban pastor who has been freed without charge after spending 126 days in prison. Pastor Carlos Lamelas was released suddenly on Monday and allowed to return to his home in Havana, tells Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

|TOP|Pastor Lamelas earlier this week informed CSW that the prison guards told him to prepare to leave the prison as he waited for his wife to arrive at the prison for her weekly official visit. They were not given a reason for his release and they are still awaiting clarification of his legal situation.

Having been detained on 20th February 2006, Pastor Lamelas was originally arrested after being accused by authorities of attempting to aid illegal Cuban emigrants.

However, it is well-known that Lamelas was publicly calling for an increase in religious freedom in Cuba at the time, and it is thought by many that this was the real reason behind his detention.

The pastor was incarcerated and not allowed to go outside during his entire imprisonment, and his health has suffered greatly as a result.

|AD|However, despite all his difficulties, Pastor Lamelas has said he was overwhelmed at the amount of support he received in and outside of Cuba.

He told how he found a “mountain” of letters and cards of support from around the world upon his return home. “Our feet are on the ground, but our hearts are in the clouds,” he told CSW.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive at CSW, said “We were overjoyed to learn of the release of Pastor Lamelas and of his reunion with his family. We remain concerned, however, that his legal situation has not been clarified and that he has still not been given a reason for his detention.

“CSW also remains deeply concerned at the overall human rights situation in Cuba and the increasing restrictions on religious freedom. While we are grateful that Pastor Lamelas has been freed, it is important to remember that he never should have been imprisoned in the first place. We call on the international community to maintain pressure on the Cuban government to improve its human rights record and to guarantee the right of religious liberty.”