SOUTH AFRICA: South African court grants bail to fugitive Czech Radovan Krejcir rejecting state arguments that he is a flight risk

Record ID: 455568

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: South African court grants bail to fugitive Czech Radovan Krejcir rejecting state arguments that he is a flight risk
  • Date: 9th July 2007
  • Summary: RELATIVES LISTENING
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA6444BO70D5UG92WIY7053JJ8Y
  • Story Text: South African judge bails fugitive, Radovan Krejcir, despite state fears that the Czech businessman will flee.

    A South African court released on bail Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir on Friday (July 6), rejecting state arguments that there was a risk he could flee.
    Judge Steven Holzen set bail at one million rand (143,000 US dollars) and ordered him back to court on August 8 to continue his extradition hearing.
    Krejcir has been in South African police custody since April following his arrest at Johannesburg airport on an Interpol "red notice", which allows for arrest and possible extradition.
    He is wanted in the Czech Republic on charges of murder, fraud, illegal arms possession and tax evasion, according to Czech police.
    Holzen said considering the length of time it might take to finalise the extradition -- up to three years -- it would not serve the interest of justice to keep Krejcir in detention.
    The state had argued that Krejcir was a flight risk because of the seriousness of the charges against him.
    It also said he had entered South Africa illegally, with a fake document under a false name, and that he had no emotional attachment or financial assets to keep him in South Africa.
    But the judge rejected the arguments as insufficient, saying he found it strange that the charges against Krejcir were so old, some going back to 1994 when he was still residing in the Czech Republic, but he was never arrested.
    He said Krejcir was legitimately issued a Seychelles passport, even if it was under a different name, and that Krejcir had made considerable investment in South Africa, buying a business and some properties and expressing a wish to move his wife and son to the country permanently.
    A relieved Krejcir smiled, hugged and kissed his son and mother who were in court.
    "This is a country under constitutional law which will allow me to appeal and I am convinced that I have done the right thing," said Krejcir.
    "Its very nice. Very nice. Next step? Now I will pay bail and I have to take some rest," he said.
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