The Associated Press

MIAMI A Cuban migrant who was intercepted at sea slit his wrist in an attempt to avoid returning to the communist island, an exile group said Sunday.

The migrant, Hector Martin Sanchez, did not want to return to Cuba because there is an eight-year prison sentence pending against him there, according to the group, Democracy Movement.

His condition was unknown and it was not immediately clear why he was sentenced to prison in Cuba.

Four other migrants who were intercepted with Sanchez were returned to Cuba on Saturday, the group said.

The Coast Guard confirmed that it intercepted five Cuban men on a raft, and four of them were repatriated Saturday. But Petty Officer Ryan Doss said he couldn't confirm whether the remaining migrant had slit his wrists.

"We can't discuss ongoing migrant interdictions," Doss said.

Under the United State's wet-foot, dry-foot policy, most Cubans intercepted at sea are returned. Those who reach land are usually allowed to stay in the United States.

Democracy Movement did not immediately return a phone message Sunday.