The discussion took place in Georgetown University’s Legal Center and included Ramsey Clark, former U.S. Attorney General, as well as attorneys Rafael Anglada and José Pertierra, who served as the moderator, in addition to Garbus.

Comments were also made by Peter Schey, director of the Center for Human and Constitutional Rights in Los Angeles, Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, executive director of the Partnership for Civil Justice, and via Skype, Belgian human rights advocate Jan Fermon.

Garbus described payments made by the U.S. government to journalists during the trial to negatively influence public opinion and prejudice the jury against the Five. Mara Verheyden-Hilliard reported that a formal request is being made to the State Department demanding clarification of these actions.

Attorney Peter Schey refuted arguments used by the prosecution to justify the outrageous charges against Gerardo which resulted in a disproportionate sentence of two life terms in prison.

The jurists’ meeting at the prestigious university took place within the context of the Five Days for the Five event in Washington, D.C. organized by the International Committee for the Freedom of the Cuban Five. • (Cubadebate)