Cuban volleyball players appeal Finnish court verdict
Five Cuban volleyball players, who were given five prison years by a Finnish court on August 31 for aggravated rape against an adult Finnish woman, have appealed the sentence, according to Cuban Sports authorities.
In recent statements to Cuban television, cited by Cubasi.cu webpage, the president of the Cuban Volleyball Federation Ariel Sainz explained that the five sportsmen filed their appeal with the attorney and the victim, who now have 30 days to expose their views to the new court that will take the case.
Sainz said a new hearing will take place between January and March next year. He added that the five volleyball players have always received the attention of the Cuban consulate in Finland and that he met with the sportsmen and exchange views with their lawyers on the new process, and informed their relatives.
Last September 20 a court in the Finnish locality of Pinkanmaa issued the sentenced of a close-door hearing which concluded August 31 on the aggravated rape case.
Cuban volleyball players Abraham Alfonso, Ricardo N. Calvo, Rolando Cepeda and Osmani Uriarte were given five prison years, while their colleague Luis T. Sosa was given three and a half years. Dariel Albo was recently released for lack of evidence. The court verdict also included a compensation of 24 thousand Euros for the victim. (acn)
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