Washington, Dec 25 (ANI): The United States has said that it is "deeply disappointed" after learning that an American contractor Alan Gross, was not among some 3,000 prisoners to be released by Cuba.
The prisoners, some convicted of political crimes, will be released overhe next few days.
Cuba President Raul Castro said the move was a goodwill gesture made after he had received numerous requests from relatives and religious institutions.
But Gross, serving 15 years for taking Internet equipment to theommunist-run island, would not be freed, The BBC reports.
"If this is correct, we are deeply disappointed and deplore the fact that the Cuban government has decided not to take this opportunity to extend this humanitarian release to Gross this holiday season," Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman, said.
Toner said Gross should be returned to his family "where he belongs".
Gross, 62, was detained in December 2009 while he was delivering computers and communications equipment to the Jewish community in Cuba. He was sentenced in March 2011.
He was working as a State Department contractor.
Cuba's refusal to free him has led to frozen relations with the US, despite a brief warming under President Barack Obama. (ANI)
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