Bogota, July 2 (IANS/EFE) A 70-year-old Colombian journalist who had testified in court against politicians accused of ties to the militia has been shot dead, authorities said.

Investigative reporter Luis Eduardo Gomez was murdered in the northwestern province of Antioquia.

Officials said the journalist did not report receiving any threats.

Gomez testified in several cases involving politicians accused of links with a now-defunct paramilitary federation.

Another witness in the cases was slain earlier this week. Across the country, four witnesses in various cases have been murdered and five others have gone missing in eight months.