Cuban dissident says authorities turn down passport request despite recent travel reform

HAVANA – A Cuban dissident previously locked up in connection with political activities says he has been denied a passport just two weeks after a reform that eliminated the island's exit visa requirement.

Angel Moya is one of 75 anti-government activists who was imprisoned in a 2003 crackdown on dissent and later released.

Moya says he went to an immigration office Wednesday to file paperwork requesting a passport, but was told without explanation that it would not be processed due to unspecified reasons of "public interest."

The denial suggests that Cuba will still restrict its citizens' right to travel in at least some cases. However other government opponents have been told they will be allowed to get passports, and their requests are being processed.