Montreal--Cuba has released a Canadian businessman jailed for more than three years on corruption charges, his lawyer said Sunday.
Cy Tokmakjian, 77, returned home on Saturday, and his family thanked efforts made on his behalf by former foreign minister John Baird.
"Cy returns home in good health, fantastic spirits, and is looking forward to spending time with his family, which includes three loving children and seven excited grandchildren," lawyer Barry Papazian said in a statement.
Tokmakjian had been sentenced in September to 15 years in prison.
No reason was given for his release, but it came amid a thaw in relations between the United States and Cuba, which announced three months ago they intended to normalize relations after more than 50 years of enmity.
Canada played a role in the negotiations that led to the surprise announcement.
At the time of his arrest in September 2011, Tokmakjian represented Hyundai autos in Cuba and had an interest in several transport companies.
He was convicted in September 2014 along with his partner, former vice minister of the state sugar industry Nelson Labrada, and two other Canadians associated with the Tokmakjian group, Marco Puche and Claudio Franco Vetere.
They were charged with corruption, false statements, currency trafficking and tax evasion.
The fate of the other two Canadians remained uncertain Sunday. The Canadian government limited itself to saying they were receiving consular support.
AFP
