Moscow strongly condemned a recent arrest warrant issued by Florida authorities for former Cuban president Raul Castro, describing the charges as unfounded and fabricated. The warrant, announced Tuesday, accuses Castro, 95, of murder related to the downing of two civilian aircraft on February 24, 1996.

The aircraft were operated by Brothers to the Rescue, an organization dedicated to assisting Cubans attempting to flee to Florida by sea. According to the Florida warrant, the incident involved the shooting down of these planes, leading to the deaths of those on board.

Russian officials criticized the move, labeling the allegations against Castro as without merit and politically motivated. The statement from Moscow underscored their rejection of the charges and defended Castro against the accusations. The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the 1996 incident, which has remained a contentious point in U.S.-Cuba relations for decades.

The arrest warrant marks a significant development in the long-standing disputes tied to the incident, though no further details were provided regarding potential legal actions or international responses. Raul Castro has not publicly commented on the charges.