Cuba releases report on crash that killed dissident
By Patrick Oppmann, CNN
updated 11:15 AM EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Cuba's Interior Ministry Friday released report on crash that killed prominent Cuban dissident
- Oswaldo Paya died in car crash Sunday, officials say
- Earlier, Paya's family said that it was not an accident, but that Paya had been targeted
Havana, Cuba (CNN) -- A report released by Cuba's Interior Ministry Friday blamed a Spanish politician for the car crash on Sunday that killed Oswaldo Paya, a prominent Cuban dissident and indicated he could face criminal charges.
Earlier Paya's family had cast doubt on the government's assertion that the crash was the result of an accident and said they believed Paya had been targeted.
Paya was traveling with another Cuban dissident Harold Cepero, Spanish politician Angel Carromero and Swedish politician Jens Aron Modig when the rental car they were driving in crashed Sunday near Las Gabinas, Cuba.
Read more about how the details of the crash are disputed
The Cuban interior ministry report said that the crash took place when Carromero, the driver of the rental car, failed to slow down as the car reached a section of road being repaired.
The report quoted witnesses as saying the car was traveling more than 100 kilometers per hour (60 mph) when it lost control, went off the road and crashed into a tree.
The report noted that it is against the law in Cuba to drive above 60 kilometers per hour on an unpaved road and to lose control of a vehicle.
Spain's Embassy in Havana had earlier said Carromero was behind the wheel when the crash occurred and that Carromero, was mentally traumatized by the accident.
Neither Paya nor Cepero were wearing seatbelts, the statement said. Paya died immediately, the statement said, and Cepero passed away after being brought to a nearby hospital.
Jens Aron Modig told police, according to the report, that he was dozing off at the time of the accident and woke as the car was going off the road only to lose conciousness as the car crashed.
Read more about dozens reported arrested on way to Cuban dissident's funeral
Carromero told police, the report said, that he had not seen any signs warning of the roadwork and was not aware of how fast he was driving when he hit the brakes.
Both men were released from the hospital a day after the crash and have been questioned for several days by Cuban police.
Neither has spoken publicly about the accident that took the life of Paya, a longtime critic of the Cuban government.
Paya most famously organized "the Varela Project," a campaign that collected thousands of signatures calling for changes to Cuba's one-party socialist system of government.
While Cuban leaders took little notice of the campaign, Paya's work generated international acclaim and he was the recipient of awards celebrating his work promoting human rights.
The U.S. State Department called on the Cuban government to carry out a transparent investigation into Paya's death.
Part of complete coverage on
Catch up with all the latest news, photos and comments from the London 2012 Olympic Games in CNN's live blog.
updated 10:06 PM EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
From the 200-meter butterfly swim to women's team gymnastics, see the best pictures from day 4 of the Games.
updated 11:51 AM EDT, Mon July 30, 2012
Syria's rebels have transformed themselves into an armed movement capable of attacking the country's two largest cities.
updated 9:00 AM EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
Eric Moussambani swam the worst 100m time in the history of the Olympics. Now 34, 'Eric the Eel' is hoping to return to the pool at Rio 2016.
updated 9:45 AM EDT, Sun July 29, 2012
Israelis and Palestinians in Jerusalem tell CNN which U.S. presidential candidate is better for their cause.
updated 9:24 AM EDT, Sat July 28, 2012
The 140 million Twitter users are creating new challenges at the first "social media Olympics."
updated 4:32 PM EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
Hundreds of millions have been dazzled by the sights and sounds of director Danny Boyle's opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Games.
updated 11:28 PM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
For the first time, every country enters a female competitor, and survivors of the Arab Spring will compete. What surprises will London produce?
updated 9:25 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
Forget about the queen and Big Ben -- the Olympic Park is in the East End, long home to London's working and creative classes.
updated 9:01 PM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
When five teenagers sat down and posed for a picture at Copco Lake in 1982, they didn't plan on making it a tradition. But that's what it became.
updated 7:24 AM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
The Olympics may have started out as an idealistic showcase of amateur sporting prowess, but now it's a very big business.
updated 9:01 PM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
When five teenagers sat down and posed for a picture at Copco Lake in 1982, they didn't plan on making it a tradition. But that's what it became.
updated 10:33 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
He's got blue wings, an adventurous spirit and is poised to be the latest film star to come out of South Africa.
updated 11:36 PM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
Fangshan residents are angry at what they perceive as government indifference to their plight following devastating floods.
updated 3:09 PM EDT, Sat July 28, 2012
Lisa Sylvester reports on Skydiver Felix Baumgartner - who survived a test jump from 96,000 feet, falling at 536 mph.
updated 12:31 PM EDT, Wed July 25, 2012
A team of young documentary makers is hoping to burst the myth of Africa as a dangerous backwater by shining a light on some inspiring projects.
updated 5:06 PM EDT, Mon July 23, 2012
Even after the Colorado shootings, Jonathan Mann says American attitudes and laws concerning guns aren't likely to change much.
updated 5:36 AM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
Islamic radicals linked to al Qaeda have seized the northern half of Mali, triggering concerns that it could become a terrorist haven.
updated 2:14 AM EDT, Thu July 26, 2012
If you tire of the athletics in London this summer, take a stroll through the city's World Heritage Sites.
updated 8:08 AM EDT, Fri July 27, 2012
A spate of recent suicides caused by bullying prompts Japan to set up a dedicated team to prevent further tragedies.
Most popular stories right now
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|