国际英语新闻:Cubans support punishment of crime commitment during Hurricane Irma

HAVANA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Cubans all over the country supported the government crack down on the crimes commited during and after the passing of Hurricane Irma earlier this month and punish the offenders.

During the hammering of Hurricane Irma, properties of several stores and service stations were grabbed, partially or totally demolished houses were looted and black markets opened up to sell water and fuel products.

Three days after the hurricane's passage, the Cuban National Defense Council initiated criminal proceedings against people who committed "opportunistic crimes against the interests of individuals and the state" during and after the storm.

Most of the crimes are related to looting, illegal economic activities, price gouging, robbery, and stealing state property.

Many of the offenders were arrested following videos posted in the social networks, showing them breaking into shops during the hurricane battering period.

Fourteen people are being detained in Havana for being linked to robberies during the hurricane.

Right after the storm, the government deployed public kiosks to sell food at very low prices and inspectors checked shops to ensure no price gouging.

On Sunday, the official daily Juventud Rebelde reported that over 20 people had been arrested in central Villa Clara Province for speculation on food, water and fuel, as well as robbing state property.

In the capital city of Havana, the police recovered five computers stolen from a junior high school and returned them.

The Attorney General's Office and the Police exhorted the population to report any crimes witnessed by phone.

Hurricane Irma lashed Cuba's northern coast from Sept. 8 to 10 with strong winds and unseen flooding, leaving 10 dead and heavy destruction to homes, hotels and farms.

The hurricane is considered the worst storm hitting Cuba since 1935.