Antúñez Arrested and Released, Vows to Continue

Cuban dissident Jorge Luis García Pérez, Antúñez, and several others were arrested May 24 as they prepared to march to Colón cemetery to commemorate the 1972 prison death of Castro opponent Pedro Luis Boitel. According to Directorio.org, dissident journalist Carlos Serpa Maceira reported that they were also stripped of censored books and other belongings.

Others arrested included Iris Pérez Aguilera (his wife), Martha Díaz Rondón, Blas Fortún Martínez, Ernesto Mederos Arrozarena, Carlos Cordero Páez and Juan Oriol Verdecia Évora.

Antúnez had recently ended a liquid fast in which with several others he had been under siege by State Security, at his home and for over 2 months. During that period visitors were not allowed to enter or leave and those who attempted were reportedly arrested and beaten up, including 3 women.

Iris, her husband Antuñez and Santana, another dissident.

Sign reads "Won't shut up and won't leave."

Picture from Directorio.org

Pedro Luis Boitel was a university student who as an opponent of Batista's tyranny joined Castro's 26 of July Movement. However, he also opposed Castro's dictatorial pretensions and in 1961 was sentenced to 10 years in prison where he died after a 53 day hunger strike.

Pedro Luis Boitel

Photo from Wikepedia

UPDATED BELOW ON MAY 26, 2009 AT 4:15 PM FROM ARGENTINA

Antúñez and others arrested with him 2 days ago were released last night as the dissident vowed to continue with plans to commemorate Pedro Luis Boitel's death notwithstanding 'arbitrariness', that is, one supposes, arbitrary detentions. 

They were apparently not charged but their cellphones were taken.

Dissident news services (outside Cuba) reporting the arrest include Directorio.org, Marti Noticias and Cubaencuentro.com. Their release was reported by martinoticias.org.