By IANS
Paris : A press freedom watchdog has decried as "a grave abuse of authority" the arrest of a journalist by Salvadoran government on terrorism charges.
The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said the arrest of journalist Maria Haydee Chicas July 2 along with 13 other people for taking part in a demonstration in the northern Salvadoran city of Suchitoto was "an abuse of power and clear violation of free expression", reported Spanish news agency EFE.
"It is ridiculous and dangerous to claim that someone who was just doing her job as a journalist was caught in the act of 'terrorism'," a statement released by the rights body said.
"We personally appeal to President Elias Antonio Saca, who, as guarantor of the constitution, cannot remain silent in the face of this kind of violation of basic freedoms."
Under El Salvador's new anti-terrorist law, Chicas could be given up to 70 years in jail.
According to the El Salvador Journalists Association, or APES, Chicas was arrested while travelling with the leaders of a group that helped peasant communities plan resistance over the possible privatisation of the local water system in Suchitoto.
Chicas was reportedly working as the press secretary for the Association of Rural Communities for the Development of El Salvador, known as Cripdes.
At about the time the Cripdes contingent was reaching Suchitoto, hundreds of peasants blocked streets in the city to protest the supposed water privatisation.
Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to put down the protest and arrested 14 people, including Chicas and the four people riding in the vehicle owned by Cripdes.
On seeing the police arrest the three Cripdes directors and their driver, Chicas reportedly began filming the scene, prompting police to detain her as well.