Senators call for international probe into Cuban activist’s death

“We urge you for your consideration and stand ready to work with you on this important matter.”

{mosads}The letter was signed by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.). Nelson wrote to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urging an inquiry last week after meeting with activist Yoani Sánchez on Capitol Hill.

Payá, who launched a petition drive calling for political freedom on the communist island, was killed along with fellow activist Harold Cepero in a July 22 car wreck. The driver, Spaniard Ángel Carromero, was charged with vehicular manslaughter before being released to Spain, but has since told the media that the Cuban government forced him to lie about his role in the crash.