"We remain hopeful that the ruling from Cuba's Supreme Court is one that will allow Alan promptly to be reunited with his family after having served nearly 20 months in a Cuban prison," Peter J. Kahn, who represents Gross in the US, said on Friday. "At the same time, we continue to call on the Cuban authorities to consider Alan's difficult family situation and release him immediately on humanitarian grounds.
Gross was sent to Cuba by USAID, a US governmental relief agency, to help set up a communications center for the local Jewish community in Havana. He was arrested while leaving Cuba in late 2009 on charges of smuggling forbidden satellite phones and lying in his visa application. Cuba claims Gross was part of a covert operation organized by the US to undermine the local government.At the hearing on Friday, attorney Nuris Pinero told the court that his client's arrest was neither warranted by law or the facts.Since his arrest observers have speculated Cuba may be using Gross as a bargaining chip to obtain the release of several of its citizens held by the US on charges of espionage.Jailed Jewish-American addresses Cuban top court
Imprisoned US aid contractor Alan Gross speaks during appeal against 15-year sentence for crimes against Cuban state.
