Miami, Aug 22: A Cuban General and two fighter pilots have been indicted in the shooting down of two civilian planes in 1996 over the Florida Straits, federal prosecutors announced. The four men aboard the planes were killed. The three accused men are in Cuba, and extradition is impossible since no diplomatic relations exist between Cuba and the United States.
Gen Ruben Martinez Puente, who was then head of the Cuban Air Force, and pilots Lorenzo Alberto Perez-Perez and Francisco Perez-Perez were named in the indictment yesterday. The charges against the men include murder, conspiracy to kill US citizens and destruction of aircraft. The penalties include up to life in prison or the death penalty.
Cuba's intent was "to terrorize the Cuban population" on the island and in Miami, US attorney Marcos Jimenez said at a news conference announcing the indictment. "These were defenceless US nationals who were carrying out a humanitarian mission over international waters." There was no immediate comment from the Cuban government on the indictment.
The planes of the group brothers to the rescue were shot down by two Cuban MiGs in Feb 24, 1996, as three aircraft searched for migrant rafters trying to flee Cuba.
A third plane, carrying brothers to the rescue leader Jose Basulto and two observers, was not hit. On several flights before that day, members of the group had violated Cuba's airspace and dropped leaflets over the island supporting human rights. Bureau Report