Mexican police arrest head of Oaxaca activists

MEXICO CITY, Dec 5 (Reuters) Mexican police 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 yesterday, after he held a news conference in Mexico City.

Sosa, who apparently left 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 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.

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.

REUTERS SHB BD1048