Seven political prisoners released by Cuba have arrived in Madrid, Spain's capital, to live there in exile along with their close relatives. They are the first of 52 detained dissidents authorised to leave the country.

The releases are the result of a deal reached between the Cuban authorities and the Roman Catholic Church in Spain to release dozens of opposition leaders, journalists and activists.

Most of the dissidents, who were branded as traitors by the Cuban government, had been in prison since a crackdown on opponents of the country's communist leadership in 2003

The freed men have said they will continue their vocal opposition against the government and fight for their freedom and democracy in their homeland.

Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher reports.

[July 14, 2010]