US Charges Ex-Cuban Leader Raúl Castro Over 1996 Civilian Plane Shoot-Down
US authorities have unsealed a federal indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro and five co-defendants over the February 24, 1996, downing of two unarmed civilian aircraft. A grand jury in South Florida updated a 2003 case in a news conference at Miami’s Freedom Tower. The charges include conspiracy to kill US nationals, four counts of murder and two counts of aircraft destruction. The incident involved Cuban MiG jets shooting down two Cessna planes operated by the exile group Brothers to the Rescue, killing four volunteers. A third plane carrying the organisation’s leader escaped. International investigators ruled the attack occurred over international waters, though Cuba disputes that finding. US officials stressed that age and elapsed time do not lessen the seriousness of the allegations. An indictment remains an accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
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