Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, December 13, 2003
Cuba says US verdict on Cuban hijackers right
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe PerezRoque on Friday approved a verdict of guilt issued by a United States court against six Cubans who hijacked a passenger plane from Cuba to the United States.
Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe PerezRoque on Friday approved a verdict of guilt issued by a United States court against six Cubans who hijacked a passenger plane from Cuba to the United States.
"It seemed to us a right decision, a positive sign and ...consistent with the idea of fighting terrorism," said Perez Roque when receiving a delegation from the Spanish province of Asturias.
The six Cubans were convicted of hijacking in Florida on Thursday after their argument that the crew cooperated in the hijacking was rejected. Sentencing is set for Feb. 26.
The Cubans will face at least 20 years in prison for hijacking a twin-engine DC-3 domestic plane with 37 people aboard, including the hijackers and crew members. It flew to Key West airport in Florida on March 19.
Perez Roque stressed that only by abolishing the US laws that encourage illegal migration from Cuba will hijackings be stopped.
Perez Roque also praised the prosecutor for his resistance against "enormous pressure" from the far-right Cuban groups in Miami for the release of the hijackers.