The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell has refused to confirm or deny reports that a Cuban military officer is being held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

According to reports, Mayor (Major) Ortelio Abrahantes was taken to the Bahamas in March after a sail boat he was aboard was intercepted by the US Coast Guard.

Mr Abrahantes is alleged to be an officer of the Ministry of Interior, who has defected with sensitive information involving operations conducted by the Cuban government.

The claims were reported on Miami-based news network Television Marti (TV Marti) two weeks ago.

At that time, Mr Abrahante’s lawyer David Alvarez told reporters that his client fears deportation and for the safety of his family, because he would face the crime of treason.

Mr Alvarez claimed that his client was not interviewed by Immigration officers to determine whether he was a political refugee.

Also during the report, which was translated from Spanish, Mr Alvarez explained that he hoped to bring Mr Abrahantes to Miami as he had “lots of information on lots of important subjects concerning Cuba, many that I think will interest the American government”.

The Tribune asked Mr Mitchell on Friday whether he could confirm that Mr Abrahantes was being held at the Detention Centre and about the status of his deportation.

Mr Mitchell replied, “No I cannot”.

When contacted a second time by The Tribune with further details, Mr Mitchell replied: “My answer is the same”.

Calls placed to the Cuban Embassy were not returned up to press time.

According to the report filed by Ricardo Quintana, Mr Abrahantes left Cuba by sail boat on March 24, and was taken to the Bahamas on March 27.

If deported, Mr Abrahantes will be court marshalled and could face execution by firing squad or a long-term prison sentence, according to a representative of Movement for a New Cuba (MNC) in the report aired on August 18.

Lara Maya, of MNC, claimed that after Mr Abrahantes left Cuba, officers from the ministry went to his house and took his uniforms and information.

His wife, Yadelis Rivera, told TV Marti that she was scared to walk in the street.