Federal Judge Grants Spy's Request To Visit Sick Brother In Cuba

Rene Gonzalez must return from Cuba within two weeks of his departure

A federal judge in Miami has granted a convicted Cuban spy's request to return home temporarily to visit a brother suffering from lung cancer.

According to Monday's order, Rene Gonzalez must return from Cuba within two weeks of his departure. Gonzalez is on probation after his release from federal prison last fall.

The Justice Department argued against the request, expressing concern in a court filing last week that Gonzalez might get new spying instructions if he were to meet with Cuban intelligence officials.

Gonzalez is one of the so-called "Cuban Five" convicted of spying on Cuban exiles in South Florida and attempting to infiltrate military installations and political campaigns. One of the five also was convicted of murder conspiracy for the 1996 shootdown of "Brothers to the Rescue" planes.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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