Imprisoned US contractor appeals to Cuban Supreme Court

AMERICAN contractor Alan Gross, imprisoned in Cuba for illegally distributing communications equipment, has appealed to the island's Supreme Court.

He was sentenced to 15 years in March after he was accused of setting up illegal internet connections in Cuba. Gross, 62, says he was only trying to help Cuba's small Jewish community. He has asked for his sentence to be dismissed. Cuba's official news agency said the court would "issue a final sentence" in the coming days.

Gross appeared in court with an attorney appointed by the Cuban authorities.