Authorities Strike at New Independent Press Agency, Arrest Director

HAVANA, 14 June (BPIC) ­ State Security agents have arrested the Director of Línea Sur Press, Bernardo Arévalo Padrón.

The Cuban Independent Press Bureau reports that Arévalo had been constantly threatened with arrest since May 27, when he was ordered to report to the political police for interrogation.

Counterintelligence agents warned the underground journalist that he could be arrested at any time if he continued advocating for freedom of information.

On 6 June authorities attempted to stage an Act of Repudiation [government-organized crowds that lay siege to opposition leaders' homes - Ed.] by communist militants in front of his residence. When insufficient numbers of government supporters attended the event, and faced with the support shown by human rights activists present, the event was called off.

On the morning of 13 June, State Security agents entered Arévalo's home and transported him to a local police station, where he remains confined. There is no word on whether the authorities will formally charge him with a crime.

On the night of the 13th, members of the paramilitary Rapid Action Brigade [used to suppress dissident activity] staged an Act of Repudiation outside the prisoner's home, shouting obscenities against the journalist and his family.

Linea Sur Press is one of the newest of the fledgling independent press agencies in Cuba, established in Aguada de Pasajeros, Cienfuegos Province, in order to report events in that region.