rvk2007
08-01-2007, 10:17 PM
interesting item from fightnews.com
Reprisals in Cuba!
July 31, 2007
The Cuban government has stepped up pressure on families and friends of Arena Box-Promotion stars Odlanier Solis, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Yan Barthelemy and the freshly signed Erislandy Lara and Guillermo Rigondeaux. There have been temporary imprisonments and houses and cars which were given to the Olympic champions for their achievements have been confiscated.
Solis, Gamboa and Barthelemy were shocked when they heard about these reprisals. They don't want to comment on the incidents as they fear further attacks on their families.
"In Cuba there have been rumours that Solis, Gamboa and Barthelemy helped Rigondeaux and Lara escaping from the team. That is a lie," says Arena-CEO Ahmet Öner. "Rigondeaux and Lara defected by themselves. It took some days until they tried to get in contact with us. It was not Arena who 'got them out' with anyone's help. They wanted to leave and they wanted to come to us. That's a fact."
With the official sanctions in Cuba, there are rumors that there are members of the Cuban military intelligence service observing Arena's environment in Germany.
"In the first place I found it quite funny that Fidel Castro seemed to attack Arena," said Öner. "But now it's getting serious. I cannot understand why our athletes, their families and friends are threatened and persecuted just because they fight for us. The guys just want to do what they do best: boxing and earning money for themselves and their families. We are giving them the chance to do so. How can that be considered a crime? Nobody should be terrorized for wanting to live their life in peace and freedom. It's harassment like this that makes Cuba a state without the rule of law. Freedom and human rights should be respected all over the world including Cuba."
castro is not only a fascist...he's a madman!! i knew this would have major impact in havana...but not this much!! this could eventually so seriously undermine the whole cuban amateur system to the point of destroying it and indirectly accomplish what 10 american presidents COULDNT---reform cuba under castro!!
the guys who were such big heroes in cuba could end up being totally different kinds of heroes outside cuba!! let freedom ring!! [Only registered and activated users can see links] nothing like a little pressure to bring out the real fidel!!
Reprisals in Cuba!
July 31, 2007
The Cuban government has stepped up pressure on families and friends of Arena Box-Promotion stars Odlanier Solis, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Yan Barthelemy and the freshly signed Erislandy Lara and Guillermo Rigondeaux. There have been temporary imprisonments and houses and cars which were given to the Olympic champions for their achievements have been confiscated.
Solis, Gamboa and Barthelemy were shocked when they heard about these reprisals. They don't want to comment on the incidents as they fear further attacks on their families.
"In Cuba there have been rumours that Solis, Gamboa and Barthelemy helped Rigondeaux and Lara escaping from the team. That is a lie," says Arena-CEO Ahmet Öner. "Rigondeaux and Lara defected by themselves. It took some days until they tried to get in contact with us. It was not Arena who 'got them out' with anyone's help. They wanted to leave and they wanted to come to us. That's a fact."
With the official sanctions in Cuba, there are rumors that there are members of the Cuban military intelligence service observing Arena's environment in Germany.
"In the first place I found it quite funny that Fidel Castro seemed to attack Arena," said Öner. "But now it's getting serious. I cannot understand why our athletes, their families and friends are threatened and persecuted just because they fight for us. The guys just want to do what they do best: boxing and earning money for themselves and their families. We are giving them the chance to do so. How can that be considered a crime? Nobody should be terrorized for wanting to live their life in peace and freedom. It's harassment like this that makes Cuba a state without the rule of law. Freedom and human rights should be respected all over the world including Cuba."
castro is not only a fascist...he's a madman!! i knew this would have major impact in havana...but not this much!! this could eventually so seriously undermine the whole cuban amateur system to the point of destroying it and indirectly accomplish what 10 american presidents COULDNT---reform cuba under castro!!
the guys who were such big heroes in cuba could end up being totally different kinds of heroes outside cuba!! let freedom ring!! [Only registered and activated users can see links] nothing like a little pressure to bring out the real fidel!!