Reply #2: American goes on trial in Cuba on spy charges

[Judi Lynn]

American goes on trial in Cuba on spy charges
Jean-Herve Deiller
March 5, 2011 - 12:29PM

An American who worked as a State Department contractor in Cuba went on trial behind closed doors on espionage charges in a case that has drawn high-level US demands for his release.

Cuban prosecutors are seeking 20 years in prison for Allan Gross, 61, who was arrested in late 2009 for distributing cell phones and computers to members of the island's small Jewish community.

Shortly before the trial began in Havana, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington called on Cuba to release Gross "and unconditionally allow him to leave Cuba and return to his family to bring an end to their long ordeal."

Said Clinton: "It is a matter of great personal pain to his family and concern to the United States government."

More:
http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/american-goes-on-trial-in-cuba-on-spy-charges-20110305-1bijn.html