Richardson Will Visit Cuba To Seek Gross’ Release
Bill Richardson is traveling to Cuba in an attempt to free Alan Gros, the imprisoned American Jewish contractor.
Gross’ American lawyer, Peter Kahn, said it was the family’s hope that Gross would be released in time to celebrate Rosh HaShanah with his family.
“We are pleased that the Cuban government invited Governor Richardson to Havana,” Kahn said in a statement. “We welcome any and all dialogue that ultimately will result in Alan’s release. We are grateful to Governor Richardson for his continued efforts. We hope that the Governor and Cuban authorities are able to find common ground that will allow us to be reunited as a family before the Jewish High Holy Days.”
CNN on Wednesday quoted State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland as saying that the former New Mexico governor’s bid was a private one, albeit supported by the Obama administration.
Gross, 62, is serving a 15-year prison sentence in Cuba for “crimes against the state” for distributing laptop computers and connecting Cuban Jews to the Internet. Gross was arrested in 2009 as he was leaving Cuba and accused of being a spy.
His appeal was rejected recently by the island nation’s Supreme Court, and now the only legal avenue left available is for the commutation of his sentence by President Raul Castro.
Since his incarceration, Gross reportedly has lost approximately 100 pounds and is suffering from partial paralysis, as well as other ailments. His daughter has breast cancer and his mother was diagnosed with cancer as well.
A former U.S. congressman, energy secretary and ambassador to the United Nations, Richardson has over the years secured the release of Americans imprisoned in Iraq and North Korea. He served two terms as New Mexico governor from 2003 to 2011.
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