Cuba to release 3,500 prisoners ahead of visit by Pope Published duration 11 September 2015

image copyright Reuters image caption Cuban President Raul Castro met Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican in May

Cuba has said it will release more than 3,500 prisoners in a goodwill gesture ahead of a visit by Pope Francis.

The government in Havana says those to be freed include inmates due for conditional release next year, as well as a number of foreign prisoners.

Those found guilty of crimes against state security will not be eligible, seemingly ruling out several high-profile political prisoners.

The Pope will make a three-day visit to the island next week.

image copyright AFP image caption Pope Francis has visited Cuba before, though not as Pope

According to Cuba's state-run newspaper Granma, prisoners were chosen for early release depending on the severity of their crimes, amount of time served, and good behaviour.

Among those to be freed are a number of inmates over 60, prisoners under 20 years old with no prior criminal records and inmates with chronic health conditions.

No prisoners with sentences for murder, other violent crimes or drug trafficking will be released, the paper said.

Pope Francis is expected to meet with Fidel Castro if the former Cuban leader's health allows.

The 78-year-old Argentine pontiff is credited with helping bring about last December's diplomatic thaw after the decades-old enmity between communist Cuba and the US.

He was directly involved in organising a series of secret diplomatic meetings between the two sides.