A leading right-wing paramilitary leader in Colombia has turned himself in after a three-day manhunt.

Diego Murillo, also known as Don Berna, was arrested for suspected involvement in the killing of a local politician.

He is a top commander of the United Self Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC), and, according to Colombian and US sources, a major drug trafficker.

The group is involved in peace talks with the government aimed at ending Colombia's decades-long civil war.

'Police pressure'

Mr Murillo, 44, went into hiding after security forces raided a safe haven for AUC negotiators in an attempt to arrest him.

"He turned himself in due to the pressure bearing down on him from the police's search," Sergeant Jamat Guapacho told AP news agency.

Mr Murillo was shown on television with government Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo. He was not handcuffed but was surrounded by police.

The authorities had offered a $1.2m (£650,000) reward for his capture.

The government accuses Mr Murillo of breaking the AUC's ceasefire conditions and says he no longer enjoys the immunity given to commanders involved in peace talks.

Earlier, AUC spokesman Ernesto Baez said his organisation would not abandon the peace talks despite the government's efforts to arrest one of its most senior commanders.

The AUC says it is committed to demobilising all its fighters by the end of the year, but it has clashed with the government over possible punishments for serious human rights abuses