960428

Cuba to tighten

laws against crime,

prostitution

HAVANA: Cuban Public Prosecutor Juan Escalona on Saturday announced reforms to Cuba's penal code that will toughen punishment for certain crimes, including prostitution and corruption, the official Prensa Latina news agency reported.

Certain offenses "related to economic crimes committed by officials from all types of companies" will be added to the penal code, he said.

The new offenses "that today don't exist ... could affect representatives of foreign firms," the prosecutor told a meeting of the Cuban Workers Federation.

National executives already are under scrutiny. "Some board members of national companies are under arrest and are being investigated," Escalona announced, according to Prensa Latina.

The changes to the penal code also are aimed at reducing panhandling and prostitution, Escalona said.

"At the same time, we will tighten sanctions for everything related to drugs and the corruption of minors, including parents who send their children into the streets to pester tourists," he added.

"We must stomp out crime in time so this country does not find itself in the sad situation of other nations," Escalona said.-AFP