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Cuba detains leading punk rocker
By Michael Voss
BBC News, Havana


The Cuban authorities have arrested one of the island's leading punk rock musicians, Gorki Aguila of band Porno Para Ricardo.

He could face charges of dangerousness, which allow the authorities to detain people who are likely to commit crimes.

According to fellow band members, he was picked up by police at his home in Havana on Monday as the group were preparing to record their latest album.

The group's lyrics are often critical of life on the communist island.

The head of Cuba's illegal, but tolerated, Human Rights Commission, Elizardo Sanchez, confirmed the detention and said that so far no-one has been allowed access to visit him.

Another member of the band, which was formed about 10 years ago, lead guitarist Ciro Diaz, said he was told by the police that the 39-year-old musician would face charges of dangerousness.

Under Cuba's penal code, the charge covers behaviours contrary "to the standards of communist morality".

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Originally posted by Kwicko:
Ummmm... Didn't we detain Cat Stevens for "dangerousness" in the wake of 9/11? You know, the guy who wrote "Peace Train"? Sounds pretty dangerous...

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Cuba punk rocker spared jail term
By Emilio San Pedro
BBC Americas editor

A court in Havana, Cuba, has ordered a punk rock musician to pay a fine of $30 (£15) for public disorder for playing his band's music too loud.

However, Gorki Aguila was cleared of a more serious charge that could have led to a jail sentence.

The lead singer of band Porno Para Ricardo is known for songs that ridicule Cuba's communist government.


...the outspoken bushy-haired singer told reporters gathered outside his house that it was clear the international interest in his case had played a key role in the last-minute decision by prosecutors to drop the more serious charge he was facing.

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I'd like to think that the international interest displayed on FFF played a small part in getting him released.

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