An appeal to a higher court failed, and the family's plea for a pardon was denied by then the Communist leader Bolesław Bierut who refused to grant clemency.

His plea for a pardon, Mr. Williams said, was brought to Roger Clinton's attention by a longtime friend from Arkansas who had a relationship with the Griggs family.

The factory owner, Jose Puignero, who owns textile plants in three towns in northeastern Spain, entered jail this week after his appeal to the Supreme Court and pleas for a pardon from many influential people failed.