HAVANA -— A court in Havana has found Cuban pastor Carlos Lamelas not guilty of "trafficking in human beings" but convicted him on previously unannounced charges of falsification of documents.
Judges imposed a fine of 1,000 Cuban pesos (US $45) on the evangelical pastor and former national president of the Church of God in Cuba for the new charges.
The Seventh Penal Court of the Provincial Peoples Tribunal evidently reached its verdict Dec. 13, 2006, after the Dec. 4 trial, although the four presiding judges did not inform Lamelas of their decision. Defense lawyer Pavel Quintano secured a photocopy of the unpublished decision and informed Lamelas by phone of the findings of the court.
The original charges of trafficking in illegal emigrants caused Lamelas to be jailed earlier in 2006, from Feb. 20 until his unexpected release June 26.
The pastor has had no opportunity to respond officially to the new charges, which he said are a pretext for authorities to retain possession of confiscated computers, files and office equipment.On the advice of his defense counsel, Lamelas plans to appeal the court decision.
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