It's emerged in Colombia that the authorities have ordered the arrest of a former army intelligence chief for his alleged role in the murder of a leading opposition politician three years ago.

Judicial officials said Colonel Bernardo Ruiz Silva, who's believed to be still in Colombia, was wanted in connection with the assassination in Bogota of Alvaro Gomez Hurtado.

Several people have been arrested, but correspondents say the crime remains shrouded in mystery.

The attack took place at the height of a drug corruption scandal that nearly brought down the then president, Ernesto Samper.