Two cousins of slain Guatemala City attorney Rodrigo Rosenberg are sought as suspects

The mysterious case of the slain Guatemala City attorney who in a videotape accused Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom of playing a role in his death took another strange turn, with authorities reportedly seeking two of his cousins as suspects.

Arrest warrants for brothers Francisco and Jose Valdes Paiz were issued in early December for allegedly ordering the killing of attorney Rodrigo Rosenberg, and police raided their homes and offices, lawyer Edwin Mis said Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. Their whereabouts remained unknown.

Several arrests have been made during the investigation into the May 10 death of Rosenberg, a well-regarded lawyer who was killed by unknown gunmen. The case drew widespread attention the next day when an 18-minute tape was released containing Rosenberg’s allegations against Colom and several close associates. The president has denied any involvement in the killing.

On the tape, Rosenberg said he could be targeted because he represented a businessman who had been killed along with his daughter in April.

-- Efrain Hernandez Jr.