Trial against US contractor starts in Cuba (closed to media)

[joshcryer]

HAVANA (AP) — A U.S. government contractor went on trial in Cuba on Friday in a case sure to have a profound impact on relations between the Cold War enemies.

Alan Gross faces a possible 20-year sentence for "acts against the integrity and independence" of Cuba. The 61-year-old Maryland native was working for the Bethesda-based Development Associates International on a USAID-program that promotes democracy when he was arrested in December 2009.

His family, and U.S. and company officials, say he was bringing communications equipment to Cuba's 1,500-strong Jewish community. Cuban Jewish groups deny having anything to do with him, and there was speculation some Cuban Jewish leaders would testify against him.

...

The trial — closed to the media — is expected to be over in a day or two, with a verdict announced immediately thereafter. Sentencing, should Gross be convicted, would likely come about two weeks later.

edit, link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gisBo7TyBjLpuzJtJ7qHaXrIp1Rw?docId=27491c95135343e9b5f1ecc1f8dc3b1e