Please note: Your browser has been unable to load the stylesheet that accompanies this page. The page is still readable. [Accessibility statement]

[Skip to navigation]

Websites
Search | Site map
Jobs | Property | Motors | Dating | Money

- Log in
- Register now - free!

Member Centre
Tuesday, 5th December 2006

# Latest News - International

Tue 5 Dec 2006

## Mexican police arrest head of Oaxaca activists

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican police on Monday arrested a left-wing activist who is one of the leaders behind six months of protests in Oaxaca that led to violent clashes with riot police.

Federal police said they arrested Flavio Sosa, the most well known leader of the Popular Assembly of the Oaxacan People, or APPO, after he held a news conference in Mexico City.

Sosa, who apparently left the colonial city of Oaxaca last week after an arrest warrant was issued for him, had just told reporters he planned to resume negotiations with the government of President Felipe Calderon, who took office on Friday.

Police said they arrested Sosa for his involvement in kidnapping, violent robbery and arson.

Sosa's brother and three other APPO members also were detained, police said.

Federal police have recently gained the upper hand in Oaxaca, bulldozing barricades that had virtually shut down the city during months of often bloody protests by activists calling for the removal Gov. Ulises Ruiz, who they accuse of corruption and bad government.

The conflict has killed more than a dozen people, most of them protesters.

In November, police arrested more than 150 people during and after a riot that left four burnt out government buildings. Since then, critics have accused the police of torture and illegally arresting other activists.

APPO spokesman Orlando Sosa, unrelated to Flavio Sosa, told Reuters his group still planned to begin negotiations with the government on Tuesday for the withdrawal of federal police from Oaxaca, in better times popular with backpackers, and for the release of arrested protesters.

Officials could not be reached to confirm whether the government would negotiate with the APPO.

(c) Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.

This article: http://news.scotsman.com/latest_international.cfm?id=1803372006

Last updated: 05-Dec-06 06:54 GMT