LIMA, Peru (AP) — A prominent Peruvian anti-mining activist says police beat him after arresting him in a northern region where the government declared a state of emergency after three people died during a violent protest against the country's biggest mining project.
Marco Arana says via Twitter that police punched him in the face and kidneys.
Chief local prosecutor Johnny Diaz tells The Associated Press that he has designated a prosecutor to investigate the claim.
Diaz says Arana was arrested Wednesday for organizing meetings, which is prohibited under the state of emergency.
It was declared after clashes Tuesday between anti-mining protesters and security forces in which authorities say three civilians were killed, two with gunshots to the head.
Protesters opposed to the $4.8 billion Conga gold mine say they fear for their water supplies.
