An undercurrent of tension as Cubans gathered for funeral services for dissident Oswaldo Paya in Havana. Paya's family say they're suspicious about the circumstances of the car crash that led to Paya's death.
SOUNDBITE: Rosa Maria Paya, Oswaldo Paya's daughter saying:
"We still can't believe my dad is dead. We don't understand the circumstances and we have serious doubts that it was an accident."
An investigation into the crash is underway. In a statement, the Cuban government called the crash "lamentable," saying the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree.
As hundreds of activists, diplomats and friends prepared to accompany Paya's family to the cemetery, dozens of dissidents were herded onto a bus by police and driven away. It isn't immediately clear what happened to the detainees, though usually they are quickly released without charges.
Paya led a 2002 petition drive which gathered 25,000 signatures for a referendum on one-party rule. While it was rejected, Paya emerged as a leading advocate peaceful democratic change in Cuba.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters
