Cuban justice officials have charged a Spanish politician, Angel Carromero, with homicide for his involvement in a car crash last week that killed prominent Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá. They're holding the Spaniard responsible because he was behind the wheel when the accident took place. 

In a statement, Carromero said he lost control after running over a pothole. Carromero, who's a member of the youth wing of Spain's ruling Popular Party, could face a maximum of 10 years in prison. 

60-year-old Oswaldo Payá was one of Cuba's most well-known dissidents. He became internationally known for gathering signed petitions calling for democratic freedoms. After his funeral last week, a number of the mourners were arrested. They were released shortly afterwards.

Payá's widow has stated that she does not believe that her husband died in an accident. She suspects that car was forced off the road. Another dissident, Elizardo Sánchez, said the statements made by the government and the driver contained many inconsistencies. He said he would only make up his mind after the two foreigners in the vehicle could speak in complete freedom about the accident.

The other foreigner in the car, Jens Aron Modig from Sweden, has been allowed to leave Cuba. He was accused of having used his tourist visa to engage in political activities. But the Cuban authorities decided not to charge him.