Posted on 08/02/2002 4:29:22 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
In a historic decision, a federal jury in Miami Thursday convicted a former Cuban psychiatric nurse for lying about his role in the alleged electroshock torture of political dissidents on his application to become an American citizen.
While foreign torture suspects have been held accountable in civil proceedings in American courts, experts said Thursday's verdict against Eriberto Mederos marks the first time an accused torturer has been convicted on criminal charges in the United States.
''We have now set a legal precedent,'' said Richard Krieger of Boynton Beach, who hunts foreign torturers who have relocated to the United States. ``This case shows the federal government that they can prosecute modern day war criminals for immigration fraud if they lie on their immigration papers.''
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