Cuba Frees Canadian Businessman After Three Years in Jail

Cuba has freed Canadian businessman Cy Tokmakjian after more than three years in jail, his company said on Saturday, resolving a case that had strained Cuban-Canadian relations and alarmed foreign investors.

Tokmakjian, founder of the Ontario-based company, was convicted of bribery and other charges and sentenced to 15 years in September in what the transportation company had called a “show trial” and a “travesty of justice.”

Foreign companies and diplomats had raised concerns that Tokmakjian’s case could scare off investors while Cuba was actively seeking foreign capital. It also annoyed Canada, a major trading partner.

Cuba seized about $100 million worth of company assets including bank accounts, inventory and office supplies.

Throughout the time Tokmakjian was tried in June and sentenced in September, the Canadian government was helping the United States and Cuba by serving as host to secret talks on restoring diplomatic ties. It was unknown whether Canada’s role had any influence on Tokmakjian’s release.

This article appeared in print on page 3 of the February 23rd, 2015 edition of Hamodia.