April 4, 1974

By Roberto Fabrico

A Justice Department team sent to Miami to prosecute Cuban exiles linked to bombings and terrorist organizations was given its assignment "at a very high level," a Justice Department spokesman said Wednesday.

At least seven Cuban exiles received FBI-delivered subpoenas Monday to testify before the federal gland jury in Miami today and Friday.

Information surrounding the special prosecutors, who arrived 10 days ago, and their investigation had been kept secret. When four of the subpoenaed men told the militant Abdala Student Movement of their subpoenas, the news leaked to the public.

"The reason the special team was assigned cannot be disclosed," the Justice Department spokesman said. "That decision was made at a very high level."

"I would not speculate on whether the White House was involved in the decision."

A White House spokesman said he had no comment on the decision to send the special prosecutors to Miami.

Robert W. Merkle, the special prosecutor handling the case, heads a team of Justice Department experts specialized in prosecuting terrorists, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami said.

Bruce Wagner, Criminal Division chief in the Miami office, identified Merkle as "an expert in the (violations of the) statute they are investigating in this case."

Merkle refused to discuss the case or release the names of others who were subpoenaed.

FOUR of the men subpoenaed were Humberto Lopez Sr., Genaro Perez, Alfredo Sayuz and Acturo Caraballo. The names of the three others were not discussed.

Lopez is the father of Humberto Lopez, Jr., the 32-year old exile who was seriously injured in a March 20 explosion. Police said he and Luis Crespo were trying to assemble a bomb at 2344 SW 16^th St., the site of the explosion.

Perez is a freelance photographer and also works for Rich Photo, 1600 W. Flagler St. He said he is "a life-long friend" of Lopez, "like a brother, really."

Sayuz is the owner of the house where Lopez Jr. and Crespo were working when the bomb exploded.

Caraballo is a pharmacist at Andres Pharmacy, 940 W. Flagler St., where Sayuz also works.