Havana: Cuba's Supreme Popular Tribunal sentenced former Economy Minister Alejandro Gil Fernández to life imprisonment on Monday for espionage, marking the most prominent case against a high-ranking official in recent years.

The court also imposed a separate 20-year sentence on Gil for crimes including bribery, document falsification, and tax evasion.

Gil served as economy minister from 2018 to 2024 and as deputy prime minister from 2019, acting as one of President Miguel Díaz-Canel's closest aides until his abrupt dismissal. Weeks later, Díaz-Canel cited Gil's "serious mistakes" and vowed zero tolerance for corruption without elaborating.

The tribunal stated Gil "abused the powers granted to him" for personal gain, "receiving money from foreign firms and bribing other officials," though it provided no specifics on the espionage activities or involved parties.

Gil spearheaded Cuba's major 2021 monetary reforms, including currency unification efforts, amid an economic crisis, product shortages, and spiralling inflation.

The case stands out since 2009 dismissals of then-Vice President Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Pérez Roque over information leaks, which did not result in prison terms. The Associated Press could not reach Gil or his legal representation.

With inputs from AP