Edition: 323
Date: 19-05-03
Five men who tried to hijack a passenger plane last month have been sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Cuba, and three other suspects received jail sentences ranging from 20 to 30 years. The incident occurred on April 10th, when the eight men boarded a plane on the Isle of Youth armed with a rifle and knives, intending to force the pilot to fly to the U.S.A. The long jail sentences are the latest harsh penalties imposed by the Cuban government, who recently executed three citizens by firing squad for trying to hijack a ferry and sentenced 75 dissidents to long terms in jail. Despite international criticism, Cuban President Fidel Castro claims the strict measures are necessary because the U.S.A. is trying to destabilise the country and to encourage Cuban nationals to leave.
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