Cuba Arrests Opposition Garcia Perez, Seizes Property

Cuba Arrests Opposition Garcia Perez, Seizes Property

Released in 2007, Jorge Luis Garcia Perez Spent 17 Years in Prison

HAVANA -- Cuban dissident Jorge Luis Garcia Perez said Thursday that
authorities held him for nine hours after storming his home and seizing
his computer and other items.

"Fire trucks, commandos, ambulances and a high official" took part in
Wednesday's operation at his residence in the central town of Placetas,
Garcia Perez, commonly known as "Antunez," told Efe by telephone.

The authorities defaced posters with slogans such as "Long live free
Cuba" before starting a search of the home, he said.

"They hit me, handcuffed me and proceeded to seize (things) without my
presence and without warrants to do so," the dissident added.

Antunez, who was released from prison in 2007 after serving 17 years for
spreading "enemy propaganda," among other offenses, said officials took
his computer, informational materials, clothing and toys sent by Cuban
exiles for distribution to children on the island.

Officials also struck and groped his wife, Iris Perez, the dissident said.

The raid was in retaliation for anti-government statements he made
during a recent international tour that included stops in the United
States, Poland, Hungary, Norway and Taiwan, Antunez said.

Cuba's Communist government dismisses most dissidents as
counter-revolutionaries and "mercenaries" on the payroll of the United
States.

Source: Latin American Herald Tribune - Cuba Arrests Opposition Garcia
Perez, Seizes Property -
http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=1577905&CategoryId=14510