By GIL SHEFLER
03/10/2011 05:45
Verdict not been released in case of Jewish-American aid worker arrested
on espionage charges while setting up communications center for island
nation's Jewish community.
Leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish
Organizations have asked Cuba to release Jewish-American aid worker Alan
Gross for time served following the completion of his two-day trial.
A verdict has not been released but is expected within the next few days.
"We are disappointed that the prosecution presented Mr. Gross as
attempting to destabilize the Cuban government when the project he was
working on in Cuba was aimed at helping communication in the local
Jewish community. As we mentioned in the appeal we sent to President of
Cuba Raul Castro prior to the trial, Mr. Gross has managed multiple
humanitarian projects around the world and believed he was advancing his
humanitarian work in Cuba, Conference of Presidents Chairman Alan Solow
and Executive Vice Chairman Malcolm Hoenlein said.
"He has already been held in prison for more than 15 months and we urge
President Castro to release him for time served and allow him to be
reunited with his family, especially his sick daughter," they said.
Gross was arrested on espionage charges on December 3, 2009, while
setting up a communications center for the island nation's Jewish community.
If convicted, he would face up to 20 years in prison.
Meanwhile, American Jewish Committee director David Harris said his
organization was also lobbying for the prompt release of Gross.
Harris, who set off on a two-week trip to Latin American on Monday, said
he was deeply concerned by the plight of the incarcerated aid worker and
was monitoring the situation closely.
"We've been in this from the beginning and have tried exhaustively to
secure his release," he said."
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