American Marconi Wireless News - 'Forced disappearance' probe opened against Colombian cycling star Herrera

The 64-year-old Colombian sporting legend was accused by two former paramilitaries of allegedly paying them about $9,700 for the 2002 disappearance and subsequent death of neighbours who refused to sell their land in the central Colombian town of Fusagasuga.

Herrera, the 1987 Vuelta a Espana champion, voluntarily appeared at the offices of prosecutors in the capital Bogota last June to deny any connection to the case. The proceeding, which Herrera attended with his wife, was not binding.

Rafael Herrera, the former cyclist's brother, was also mentioned in the allegations made by the former paramilitaries, who were originally members of one of the bloody far-right death squads that for decades fought Colombia's left-wing guerrillas.

The investigating body said in a statement that it decided to open the investigation after finding "material evidence" that would indicate that the Herrera brothers contacted members of a paramilitary group to take the farmers "against their will".

The prosecution added that the bodies of two of the victims were found in 2008 and returned to their families last December. The other two have not yet been found.

According to the ex-paramilitaries, who have already been convicted for the crimes, the bodies were buried on land owned by the former cyclist.

Herrera has stated that his involvement in the case is a set-up to "smear" his name.

The Herrera brothers have been summoned to a hearing on February 6 to answer "for the crime of forced disappearance".

The punishment for which in Colombia is a prison sentence of between 26 to 45 years, according to the country's penal code.

A.Mahlangu--AMWN