Officials, Managers Sentenced in Holguin

HAVANA TIMES — The Provincial Popular Tribunal of Holguin sanctioned 12 officers and of the Ministry of Basic Industry and officials of the CubaNiquel Corporation for corruption, reported the official Granma newspaper.

The crimes were committed during the process of negotiation, contracting and implementation of the expansion of the Pedro Soto Alba plant, located in the city of Moa, where the mining and refining of nickel and cobalt is carried out.

Sentences ranging from six to twelve years of imprisonment were handed down against senior-level officials that included former vice ministers Rafael Alfredo Zayas (who served in that position from 2004-2007), Ricardo Gonzalez (2001-2004 and 2007-2010), Antonio Orizon de los Reyes (1980-1999), and CubaNiquel business director Cristobal de la Caridad Saavedra.

Other directors and deputy directors of the project, as well as officers of the Moa Nickel Corporation, were also sentenced to between four and eight of imprisonment.

The accused individuals, as well as the prosecutor’s office, may appeal the judgment before the Supreme Court, indicated Granma.