Cuba trial begins for 2 British citizens caught up in wave of corruption arrests

HAVANA – The trial in Cuba of two British businessmen targeted in a crackdown on corruption is underway.

The two suspects have been identified by a court official as Amado Fakhre and Stephen Purvis. A half-dozen Cubans are also being tried in the case.

Fakhre was executive director and Purvis was chief of operations of Coral Capital Group, which was shuttered in 2011.

Purvis was seen Thursday morning entering a Havana building that houses a special tribunal.

Last week the same court tried Canadian businessman Sarkis Yacoubian of the company Tri-Star Caribbean on reported charges of bribery, tax evasion and "activities damaging to the economy."

Another Canadian man is also expected to go on trial shortly.