FREEDOM HOUSE CONDEMNS VERDICT OF U.S. CITIZEN IN CUBA.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by Freedom House:

Freedom House condemns the guilty verdict and 15-year sentence handed down to U.S citizen Alan Gross yesterday following last week's two-day trial in Cuba.

Gross was charged with "acts against the independence and territorial integrity of the state," and was found guilty of participating in a "subversive project of the U.S. government" that sought to destroy the Revolution through non-government controlled communication systems. Gross, a 61-year old consultant for Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), was working to bring Internet access to Jewish organizations in Cuba. He was arrested on December 3, 2009 in Havana and remained imprisoned without charges until last month, when Cuban prosecutors announced they would seek a 20-year sentence.

"This verdict is outrageous," said Daniel Calingaert, deputy director of programs at Freedom House. "To hold Alan Gross for over a year without formal charges is unconscionable, and to pass so heavy a sentence after such short trial proceedings indicates that the outcome was predetermined."

Gross's 26-year-old daughter and 88-year-old mother have both been diagnosed with cancer since his detention. Recent reports indicate that he has lost 90 pounds while in prison and suffers from other serious physical ailments and mental stress.

"Mr. Gross has already suffered greatly for activities that are commonplace in free and democratic countries," Calingaert continued. "Freedom House reiterates our call for Mr. Gross's immediate release on humanitarian grounds and insists that he be sent home to be with his family."

Freedom House consistently places Cuba among the world's worst regimes. Cuba is ranked Not Free in Freedom in the World 2011, Freedom House's annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, and Not Free Freedom of the Press 2010. The island nation also received the lowest ranking in Freedom on the Net, a study of Internet freedom in 15 countries released in 2009.

Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights.

Join us on Facebookand Twitter(freedomhousedc) and stay up to date with Freedom House's latest news and eventsby signing up for our RSS feeds.

Supporting the right of every individual to be free

www.freedomhouse.org

###