Cuban officials release 6 repatriated hijackers.(South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Byline: Madeline Baro Diaz and Vanessa Bauza

HAVANA _ Six of the 12 accused Cuban hijackers whose repatriation last week launched a firestorm of criticism of the Bush administration have been released by the Cuban government while others remain at state security headquarters.

Barbaro Perez Novo, 29, one of those repatriated, said Friday that authorities released him and five others last week.

"Although they told us we were free, we have to present ourselves at the trial," Perez Novo said from his home in the north central town of Nuevitas.

His younger brother Yosvel Chavez Novo, 22, remains at the Villa Marista security headquarters in Havana apparently accused of leading the group that stole the government-owned Gaviota 16 on July 15, Perez Novo said. No trial date has been announced.

The development comes as many in the Cuban exile community have unleashed their fury on Bush and the Republican party over the repatriation, which led to a war of words between leaders of the Cuban American National Foundation, the powerful lobbying organization, and U.S. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Florida. The repatriation of the 12 came just months after three hijackers were executed on the island.

The hijacking of the vessel from the port of Boca de Nuevitas occurred shortly after another boat hijacking attempt in Cuba ended in a shootout in which three of the alleged hijackers were killed. The Gaviota fled into Bahamian waters and eventually into international waters where the Coast Guard intercepted it.