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antiterroristas.cu
2009-12-08
Today concluded the re-sentencing process for
Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and Ramón
Labañino in the United States District Court for
the Southern District of Florida, ordered by the
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Fernando Gonzalez’ original sentence (19 years)
was modified to 17 years plus 9 months in prison
and Ramón Labañino (1 life term plus 18 years)
reduced to 30 years in prison.Antonio Guerrero’s
hearing was held on October 13, 2009.
His original sentence (1 life term plus 10
years) was reduced to 21 years plus 10 months
and 5 years of supervised release.
The sentences of Gerardo Hernandez (2 life terms
plus 15 years) and René González (15 years),
having been ratified by the Court of Appeals,
were excluded of this re-sentencing process.
Following is the statement issued by Antonio
Guerrero, Fernando González and Ramón Labañino
on December 8, 2009.
Dear Sisters and Brothers from Cuba and from all
over the World:
We have already served more than 11 years in
prison and there is still no justice at any
level of the American legal system.
Three of us have come to the Miami Court to be
re-sentenced due to an order from the Eleventh
Circuit Court of Appeals, which determined that
our sentences had been erroneously imposed.
Our brother Gerardo Hernandez, who is serving
two life terms plus 15 years, has been
arbitrarily excluded from this re-sentencing
process. His situation remains the principal
injustice in our case. The US Government is well
aware of the falseness of the accusations
against him and the unfairness of his sentence.
This has been a complex process, difficult and
much discussed in every detail, in which we
participated along with our counsels. We did
not give an inch in our principles, decorum and
honor,
always defending our innocence and the dignity
of our Homeland.
Just as it did at the moment of our arrest and
at other occasions during these long years, the
US Government proposes now that we collaborate
to obtain more benevolent sentences. Once again,
we have rejected such proposals, something that
we never will accept under any circumstances.
Present in the results of these re-sentencing
hearings are the work of the legal team and the
indestructible solidarity of all of you.
It is significant that the US Government, for
the first time in 11 years, was obliged to
recognize that we did not cause any damage to
its national security.
Also, for the first time, the prosecutor
publicly recognized the existence of a strong
international movement in support of our
immediate freedom, a movement that affects the
image of the US judicial system in the eyes of
the international community.
Once again the absolute political character of
this process is confirmed.
We the Five are punished for accusations that
never have been proved. Although three of our
sentences were partially reduced, the injustice
remains for all of us.
The Cuban-American terrorists continue to enjoy
total impunity.
We reiterate: The Five are innocent!
We feel profoundly moved and grateful for the
permanent solidarity that you give us, so
crucial in this long battle for justice.
Together with you, we will continue until the
final victory, which only will be reached with
the return of the Five to our Homeland.
Antonio Guerrero
Fernando González
Ramón Labañino
Miami,
December
8, 2009 |
