Cuban blogger says she is briefly detained
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press Writer
HAVANA -- A Cuban blogger who has gained international attention for her
searing commentary about life on the communist island said she was
briefly detained Friday and warned by state security agents about her
opposition activity.
Yoani Sanchez, who runs a blog called "Generation Y" and whose writings
have appeared in several international publications and Web sites, told
The Associated Press that two state agents in civilian clothes stopped
her in Havana's Vedado neighborhood as she and several friends made
their way to a protest march in central Havana.
The agents ordered her and one of her friends to get into their car and
pulled her hair and kicked her when she initially refused, Sanchez said.
"It was very violent," she said.
Once in the car, Sanchez said, the agents told her she had gone too far
with her writings, which vividly tells of problems of a country where
the government controls nearly all aspects of life. Sanchez said that
after issuing their warning, the agents let her and her friend go.
The Cuban government had no immediate comment, and it was impossible to
independently verify Sanchez's charges. Many Cuban opposition leaders
say they are harassed from time to time by the state, particularly if
they try to attend or plan street demonstrations.
The Cuban Commission on Human Rights and National Reconciliation says
there are more than 200 political prisoners in Cuba, a number that has
dropped sharply since Fidel Castro ceded power to his brother Raul in
2006. The government does not recognize the legitimacy of the
opposition, saying they are paid mercenaries of Washington.
Earlier this year, Time magazine named Sanchez one of the world's 100
most influential people. In October, the government denied her
permission to travel to New York to receive a top journalism prize, the
second time this year she has been refused permission to leave the island.
While her blog gets about 1 million hits a month, Sanchez enjoys more of
a following off the island than on it. Internet access to the blog is
often blocked in Cuba and Sanchez blames the government, which has
refused to comment.
The communist government severely limits freedom of speech and assembly
and controls all newspapers, radio and television stations.
Associated Press Writer Paul Haven contributed to this report.
Cuban blogger says she is briefly detained - World AP - MiamiHerald.com
(6 November 2009)
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/1320984.html
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