Cuba dissident Miguel Valdes dies

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Cuban dissident Miguel Valdes Tamayo has died of a heart attack, aged 50.

He was among a group of 75 activists jailed in 2003 for opposing President Fidel Castro, but was released on health grounds a year later.

His death in the capital, Havana, was announced by fellow dissident Maria Beatriz Roque.

She said Mr Valdes had been refused permission to seek treatment abroad. "It was a cruel action by the Cuban government," she told AFP news agency.

Mr Valdes had been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The Havana authorities have already released 16 of those arrested in 2003.