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FAMILY HOPES FOR RELEASE OF CANADIAN BUSINESSMAN
The Globe and Mail (Canada)
December 19, 2014 Friday
by DANIEL LELANC
OTTAWA
The family of a Canadian businessman who is serving a 15-year sentence
in Cuba is hoping to benefit from the re-establishment of relations
between Havana and Washington.
After negotiations conducted partly on Canadian soil, the United
States and Cuba this week exchanged some prisoners as part of a
deal that includes reopening embassies and easing travel between the
two countries.
The supporters of Cy Tokmakjian, who was sentenced to 15 years in
prison for bribery and other economic crimes in September, are hoping
penalties will soon be eased in the case, which they have described
as a "gross injustice."
"The family of Cy Tokmakjian is very hopeful Cuba will also release Cy
on a humanitarian basis during this Christmas and holiday period. Our
father, grandfather and husband has been in detention more than three
years and it's time for him to come home to Canada," the family said
in a statement.
Federal officials confirmed that the matter is the subject of
discussions with Cuban officials, but refused to provide details.
Originally from Armenia, the 74-year-old Mr. Tokmakjian founded a
transportation company in Canada in the early 1970s and expanded the
firm's operations to Cuba, Barbados and several other countries. He
was arrested in September, 2011, and held in a Cuban jail for nearly
2 1/2 years before charges were laid as part of an anti-corruption
campaign in the country.
The Tokmakjian Group argued the case was baseless and expressed fear
the outcome of the trial was "predetermined." In his defence, Mr.
Tokmakjian argued that he invited Cuban officials for meals and gave
gifts to several recipients, but made no attempt to obtain favours
in return.
The Globe and Mail (Canada)
December 19, 2014 Friday
by DANIEL LELANC
OTTAWA
The family of a Canadian businessman who is serving a 15-year sentence
in Cuba is hoping to benefit from the re-establishment of relations
between Havana and Washington.
After negotiations conducted partly on Canadian soil, the United
States and Cuba this week exchanged some prisoners as part of a
deal that includes reopening embassies and easing travel between the
two countries.
The supporters of Cy Tokmakjian, who was sentenced to 15 years in
prison for bribery and other economic crimes in September, are hoping
penalties will soon be eased in the case, which they have described
as a "gross injustice."
"The family of Cy Tokmakjian is very hopeful Cuba will also release Cy
on a humanitarian basis during this Christmas and holiday period. Our
father, grandfather and husband has been in detention more than three
years and it's time for him to come home to Canada," the family said
in a statement.
Federal officials confirmed that the matter is the subject of
discussions with Cuban officials, but refused to provide details.
Originally from Armenia, the 74-year-old Mr. Tokmakjian founded a
transportation company in Canada in the early 1970s and expanded the
firm's operations to Cuba, Barbados and several other countries. He
was arrested in September, 2011, and held in a Cuban jail for nearly
2 1/2 years before charges were laid as part of an anti-corruption
campaign in the country.
The Tokmakjian Group argued the case was baseless and expressed fear
the outcome of the trial was "predetermined." In his defence, Mr.
Tokmakjian argued that he invited Cuban officials for meals and gave
gifts to several recipients, but made no attempt to obtain favours
in return.