Cuban Human Rights Group Says Short Detentions on the Rise
HAVANA — Jan 5, 2015, 3:26 PM ET
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
"The Cuban government carried out a record number of detentions of dissidents and political activists last year, an independent Cuban human rights group said Monday.
"The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation recorded 8,899 short-term detentions of dissidents and activists in 2014. That was about 2,000 more than the previous year and four times as many as in 2010, said the group's head, Elizardo Sanchez....
"[A] list of those detained in December includes expatriate artist Tania Bruguera, who was briefly held and released at least three times since her return to Cuba late last month to organize a performance art piece involving the installation of an open microphone in Havana's Plaza of the Revolution for Cubans to speak about their country. Authorities launched a round of brief detentions on the day of the planned performance, which did not take place.
"Also included in the list is graffiti and performance artist Danilo Maldonado, who other dissidents said was arrested last month in or near a square in central Havana as he attempted to release two pigs labeled 'Fidel' and 'Raul,' the first names of Cuba's current and former presidents. The right group's report said he was being charged with the crime of disrespect for authority, which carries a one- to three-year prison sentence."
http://abcnews.go.com/International/...-rise-28008000