Walter van der Veer, 52, was arrested in August 1996 for possession of ``military equipment'' and ``incendiary devices'' destined ``for actions against socio-economic, religious and military targets,'' Havana announced at the time.
Diplomatic sources said no trial date has been set, but they have been told that prosecutors will seek the death penalty because of the current climate of insecurity caused by 11 bombings and bombing attempts in six months.
Cuban officials in March described van der Veer as ``a highly dangerous mercenary'' and ``agent of a Miami terrorist organization,'' Comandos L, a group that advocates armed struggle against President Fidel Castro.
Havana has not linked van der Veer to the latest rash of bombing attempts against Cuban tourism targets this year, and friends describe him as a ``religious romantic'' who opposes Castro.
Miami attorney Ellis Rubin on Monday said van der Veer was on a ``humanitarian mission'' to Cuba and should not be sentenced to death.
One Comandos L member said van der Veer did not belong to the group but had asked a member to provide him with a military helmet and camouflage fatigues just before he left for Cuba last year.
Shortly before his arrest he sent Comandos L offices in Miami a note claiming he had carried out some 30 acts of minor sabotage, such as throwing dirt in the gas tanks of government trucks, the source said.
Van der Veer tried to drive a souped-up sea scooter, blessed by a Coral Gables priest, to Cuba in 1989 to plant a U.S. flag on a beach and leave behind a ``message from God'' calling for peace.
The craft broke down 20 miles off Key West and he nearly drowned before he was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard. But van der Veer vowed that he would continue his quixotic campaign of bringing God's word to Cuba.
Copyright © 1997 The Miami Herald