Cuban court begins trial of two British businessmen

HAVANA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- A Cuban court Thursday began in Havana a trial against two British businessmen accused of corruption.

The trial is being held behind doors in the "October 10" Municipal Court in Havana with the presence of relatives, friends and work partners of the two accused, Amado Fakhre and Stephen Purvis, two British citizens and senior officers of the firm Coral Capital Group.

Fakhre was the CEO of the Coral Capital Group, and his compatriot Purvis was Chief of Operations in the same company, which was Cuba's partner since 1997 in the management of the island's hotels.

Fakhre and Purvis are the main suspects in the case which also involves six other indicted people.

So far, the Cuban government has not given any information on the case. But sources close to the firm said the reason for the trial is alleged bribes from Coral commercial division to Cuban officials.

The process began in 2011 when the company's offices were closed and Fakhre and Purvis were arrested.

The trial occurred one week after a Cuban court prosecuted Canadian businessman Sarkis Yacoubian, directive of Tri-Star Caribbean, who was accused of corruption, tax evasion and damaging activities for the Cuban economy. He is awaiting the court's verdict.

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