Peru Protest Leader in Asylum Bid

A Peruvian Indian leader charged with sedition for leading protests against land development in the Amazon is seeking asylum at the Nicaraguan embassy, Peru's prime minister has said.

Alberto Pizango took refuge in Nicaragua's embassy on Monday, days after violent clashes between Peruvian police and indigenous Indian protesters left dozens dead, including at least 22 police officers.

Nicaragua's ambassador to Peru said Daniel Ortega, the Nicaraguan president, would decide on Tuesday whether to grant Pizango asylum, Peru's state news agency reported.

Peruvian authorities ordered Pizango's arrest on Saturday on charges of sedition for allegedly inciting violence during protests against oil and gas exploration in the western Amazon jungle.

Thousands of Indians, many armed with wooden spears, have vowed to continue their blockades on remote Amazon highways to defend their ancestral lands from outside developers.

The indigenous people hope to force congress to repeal laws that encourage foreign mining and energy companies to invest billions of dollars in projects in the rainforest.

They say that Garcia's government did not consult them in good faith before signing contracts that could affect at least 30,000 Amazon Indians across six provinces.