Mother of Maryland Man Imprisoned in Cuba Dies

The mother of a Maryland man imprisoned in Cuba while working to set up Internet access there has died.

The family of 92-year-old Evelyn Gross said Wednesday that she died in Plano, Texas. She had suffered from lung cancer.

Alan Gross was arrested in Cuba in 2009 while working covertly in Cuba as a subcontractor for the U.S. government's Agency for International Development. He is serving a 15-year sentence.

Evelyn Gross' illness played a role in her son's pleas for release. Alan Gross asked to see his mother before she died and promised to return to Cuba if he had been allowed to visit. She never got to see him during the five years he’s been in prison.

Gross’ family said they are trying to get a furlough for Alan Gross so he can attend his mother’s funeral. They are calling upon President Barack Obama to do what he can to negotiate Gross’ release.

When Gross began a hunger strike this year, his mom persuaded him during a phone call to end it.

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