Cuban man who sewed mouth shut collapses [View All]

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Thursday, 09.23.10
Cuban man who sewed mouth shut collapses
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press Writer

GUANABACOA, Cuba -- A Cuban man who sewed his mouth shut after launching a hunger strike to protest confiscation of electronic devices by customs officials has collapsed and been sent to a hospital, his son said Thursday.

Vladimir Alejo Miranda fainted on Wednesday at his home in Guanabacoa, just outside Havana, Leordan Alejo told The Associated Press. He said his father began the strike two months ago, sewed his mouth shut on Sept. 7 and stopped drinking water and tea earlier this week. Vladimir Alejo's wife also sewed her mouth shut in solidarity, according to the son.

The elder Alejo was being treated at the nearby Miguel Enriquez hospital, which journalists are not allowed to enter. Leordan Alejo, 27, said had no word on his father's condition.

Alejo's relatives have been contacting foreign media based in Havana for weeks, accusing some journalists of being part of Cuban state security for not covering the developments.

The relatives first said the strike was over an airport customs seizure of a DVD player, a camera and flash memory stick sent by a friend from the United States. Since then, they have said the protest has expanded to include a call for the release of political prisoners and other issues.

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/09/23/1838694/cuban-man-who-sewed-mouth-shut.html

http://3.bp.blogspot.com.nyud.net:8090/_1QfuM0R-rVE/TFhLwlP20MI/AAAAAAAAXvU/DAbO0xX2nPw/s400/Vladimir+Alejo+Miranda.jpg

Vladimir Alejo Miranda