Cuba swoops on mourners

The Cuban Government detained at least 126 people, including dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez, in a crackdown after the hunger strike death of political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo, a human rights group said yesterday.

Many were attending or en route to Zapata's funeral on Friday in the eastern city of Banes when they were detained, most for less than 24 hours, said Elizardo Sanchez, spokesman for the independent Cuban Human Rights Commission.

He said the Government was attempting to prevent protests over Zapata's death, which was condemned internationally and prompted calls from the United States and Europe for Cuba to release its estimated 200 political prisoners.