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Colombian Authorities Arrest
Six for Killing Soccer Star
Colombia's Attorney General's
Office told media on Friday that
it had arrested six gunmen in
connection with the murder of
Albeiro Usuriaga, a soccer
player better known by his
nickname Palomo "the pigeon."
The arrests came following 25
raids in the southwestern
Colombian city of Cali, in which
officers from the prosecutor's
office and soldiers worked
together. Prosecutors charged
them with conspiracy; murder;
and the manufacturer,
trafficking and carrying of
illegal weapons.
The gunmen were part of a gang
which allegedly kidnapped,
tortured and killed at least 50
people since 1999, including
Palomo in February 2004, stabbed
to death outside a Cali
nightclub.
At the time, Colombian media
said that Palomo had received
death threats after testifying
in a trial against the murderers
of a close friend.
Usuriaga played for Colombian
clubs Atletico Nacional, in
Medellin; America, in Cali;
Millonarios, in Bogota; and
overseas at Argentine club
Independiente, Spanish club
Malaga, and Mexican Club Necaxca.
He retired in 1997, after
Independiente found evidence of
cocaine during a routine
anti-doping test.
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