Peru holds US woman declared innocent of rebel activities

Chicago native Cynthia McNamara thought her troubles were nearly over when she was found innocent of directing rebel killings and freed from prison. But three days before she was to leave Peru, Ms. McNamara is again in jail - on the same charges.

``The detention is illegal and a massive abuse is being committed against her,'' defense lawyer Jos'e Burneo said. ``If this can happen to foreigners with all their resources, you can imagine what happens to Peruvian peasants.''

``It must be because of some bureaucratic formality,'' court spokesman Vicente Nizisaka, said.

Authorities have not explained why McNamara was arrested on Aug. 2, two weeks after a Lima tribunal ratified a lower court ruling that she was innocent of charges that she led rebels in the killings of two officials last August.