The Mexican government is denying reports that it has opened an investigation against French singer Manu Chao for meddling in the country's politics.

Chao this week called the 2006 arrests of protester in the town of San Salvador Atenco "state terrorism."

Several women claimed they were sexually abused after police retook control of Atenco from protesters.

On Thursday, an Interior Department's official told The Associated Press that authorities were looking into Manu Chao's statement.

The department denied Friday in a news release that it has considered expelling the singer, who is a special guest at a film festival in Mexico.

The Mexican Constitution bars foreigners from opining or taking part in the country's politics.