Suspects said they infiltrated Cuban exile community

But they said they were gathering information about Cuban exiles suspected of carrying out bombing attacks in Cuba.

They even said that they had transmitted the infomation to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Lawyers for the prosecution said the men had used coded computer disks, high-frequency radio transmissions and electronic phone messages in a bid to infiltrate the US Southern Command Headquarters in Miami as well as exile groups.

'Don't fly' advice

Gerardo Hernandez was found guilty of contributing to the death of four members of the anti-Castro Brothers to the Rescue group whose plane was shot down over international airspace five years ago.

Lawyers for the prosecution said Hernandez knew a plane would be attacked because he had advised two men who had infiltrated the group not to fly during a four-day period.

Ramon Labanino and Antonio Guerrero also face life in prison on spying charges.

Fernando Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez face up to 10 years in prison for not registering as foreign agents.

Five others arrested at the same time have already pleaded guilty in return for reduced sentences.

Last June, a Cuban diplomat was deported from the United States on spying charges, causing outrage in Cuba.