Chilean protester threatened via Twitter

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SANTIAGO, Chile, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The Chilean Supreme Court ordered the protection of a student protester who received death threats through a social networking Web site, officials said.

The president of University of Chile's student federation, Camila Vallejo, was placed under police protection after receiving threats through Twitter from a high-ranking culture ministry official, La Tercera reported Wednesday.

The court ordered authorities to protect Vallejo, who used social media to mobilize huge marches for education reform.

Reinaldo Vallejo, father of the student protester, said the courts decision means his family can be in peace until things get back to normal.

The court is taking measures to prosecute the official who sent the message, authorities said.

Thousands of Chilean students and teachers started demonstrations in April for education reform against privatization and for more government investment in public education.