Havana, February 16 (RHC) –- A provincial court in the western province of Artemisa has sentenced seven citizens with prison sentences, including two life terms, after declaring them guilty of the murder of four people during an attempt to illegally leave Cuba.

Jorge Luis Salazar and Reinier Armas were given life sentences after planning an illegal departure of eleven persons with the aim of stealing the money that those people would pay to go to the U.S. by sea; four of them were killed in the attack.

The murders took place on the evening of June 7th, when the two defendants took the illegal emigrants to a cattle ranch in the locality of Bauta, where they attacked them and stole their money.

Following their convictions, Salazar and Armas were given life sentences, and Rafael Sanchez was given 25 years. Also punished was Yassel Monetro, sentenced to 22 years in prison on charges of violent robbery and intimidation.

Another two individuals were charged with trafficking in persons and were given 10 and eight years, respectively. Both Salazar and Armas will also have to compensate the relatives of the victims, according to an article published in this morning's edition of Granma newspaper.