By CHRIS DOUCETTE, Toronto Sun
Last Updated: August 2, 2010 2:02pm
SANTA LUCIA, CUBA - Finally, some good news for Cody LeCompte.
With only 24 hours remaining until the next flight leaves from nearby
Camaguey and still no word on whether he'd be allowed to leave Cuba, the
Simcoe teen and his family were beginning to lose hope.
But just before noon Monday, the 19-year-old's uncle, Gary Parmenter,
received a call from an official at the Canadian embassy in Havana — a
call the family has been waiting anxiously for since last Wednesday.
"Cuban officials have now signed off on his bail conditions and release
order," Parmenter told the Sun moments after learning his nephew's more
than three months of detention was nearing an end.
"The paperwork has now been sent to Cuba's immigration department and we
just have to wait for them to lift the hold on Cody's passport that
prevents him from travelling," the teen's uncle said.
Cody has been stranded in the Communist country since April 29 when he
was broadsided by a dump truck while driving a rental car.
Cody, his mom, a cousin, and the cousin's fiancee — a local woman — were
all badly hurt.
Under Cuban law, any accident involving a tourist in which a Cuban
national is seriously injured is treated as a criminal matter, meaning
the tourist can't leave the country until the investigation and, if
necessary, the trial are completed.
"This is just wonderful news," Danette said of the latest development in
her son's release.
"I really wasn't expecting this today."
The single mother, who was also in the car at the time of the crash, has
been in Cuba with her son for most of the last three months and has
racked up $30,000 trying to get Cody home.
Aafter the accident, there was serious concern the teen could land in a
Cuban prison for up to three years, even though he maintains it wasn't
his fault and he was never charged with anything.
"I'm very, very relieved," Danette said. "It's unbelievable, after all
this time, to think tomorrow could finally be the day."
In the wake of intense scrutiny from the media and upset Canadians
across the country, the Harper government finally stepped in last
Tuesday and strongly urged the Cubans to expedite Cody's case.
The next day, a deal was worked out allowing Cody to leave Cuba as long
as he paid $2,000 Pesos bail and agreed to return if there's a trial.
The LeCompte family has just been waiting for officials in Havana to
sign off on the deal and they were beginning to doubt it would be done
in time for them to fly home Tuesday.
"I can't believe it," Cody said. "I honestly didn't think it was going
to happen this week. I figured there would be some other delay."
"I can't wait to get back home on Canadian soil!"
http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2010/08/02/14900246.html
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