HAVANA — The trial of a U.S. government contractor facing up to 20 years in jail on charges he sought to undermine Cuba’s government wrapped up Saturday after both sides gave closing arguments, but there was no word of a verdict.
The fate of Alan Gross, a 61-year-old Maryland native detained for more than a year since being caught bringing communications equipment into the communist-run island, was in the hands of a five-judge panel.
Gloria Berbena, a spokeswoman for the U.S. diplomatic mission on the island, said Gross’ Cuban attorney would be notified when a verdict was reached, but there was no indication when that might be.
Gross’ American attorney, Peter J. Kahn, issued a short statement, saying the trial had ended and “the family remains hopeful that Alan will be home soon.”
Gross was working for Development Alternatives Inc. as part of a USAID-backed “democracy building” program when he was arrested in December 2009. He has been held at Havana’s maximum-security Villa Marista jail ever since — most of that time without charge.
His detention has worsened relations between Cuba and Washington, with U.S. officials making clear that no meaningful rapprochement is possible while Gross is in jail.
Cuba says USAID programs like the one Gross was working on are aimed at overthrowing the government of President Raul Castro. U.S. officials and Gross’ family insist he was trying to provide Internet service to the island’s Jewish community and did nothing wrong.
Should Gross be convicted, efforts would turn to getting him released through a court order or executive pardon, possibly on humanitarian grounds.
