HAVANA GAOL RIOT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28784, 3 January 1959, Page 11

HAVANA GAOL RIOT

“More Than 100” Guards Dead HAVANA, January 2. “More than 100” guards were killed in a wild riot in Havana’s principal gaol yesterday, two Americans said today. The Americans, prisoners for several months in the gaol, described a horrifying wave of violence which followed the flight of President Fulgencio Batista from the country. The commanding officer of the prison and his second in conn mand were tortured to death, they said.

Jonathan Graham, aged 30, of Hollywood. Florida, a chemical manufacturer, and Dean Leon Gleaves, aged 23. of Portland. Oregon, said they were among the prisoners turned loose after the riot.

Graham said he was arrested last May 21. Gleaves said be was seized in Camaguey. Neither would say if he had been active in the' Fidel Castro rebel movement. United Press International said the men were almost hysterical as they .told of yesterday’s scenes at the grim prison. They said they had undergone brutal treatment in the gaol and were beaten daily. Both men who said they were flyers, were interviewed at Havana’s international airport where they desperately sought rides to the United States.

The airport was closed to traffic tonight. Graham and Gleaves said they were trying to communicate with friends and relatives for funds to pay their passage home.