Mar. 29, 1962 - The Castro Government put 1,182 prisoners on trial today behind closed doors at Principe Prison, in Havana’s suburbs. The official charges against the prisoners, captured after last April’s unsuccessful invasion, were not disclosed. The Havana radio said the prisoners were accused of having carried out a “treacherous attack” against the Cuban people at the “direct instigation of the imperialistic Government of the United States.” The Government would not let the prisoners choose their lawyers. It also rejected an appeal that a delegation of relatives or friends be permitted to attend. All of the defendants are Cubans. They represent the troops who surrendered after 72 hours of combat on Girón Beach. The Government executed five of the invaders last September after conviction of “common crimes.” Nine other prisoners received thirty-year prison terms.
