FRANCE: A FRENCH COURT ORDERS THE RELEASE OF FESTINA TEAM DOCTOR ERIC RYCKAERT FROM CUSTODY

Record ID: 646466

  • Title: FRANCE: A FRENCH COURT ORDERS THE RELEASE OF FESTINA TEAM DOCTOR ERIC RYCKAERT FROM CUSTODY
  • Date: 21st October 1998
  • Summary: DOUAI, FRANCE (OCTOBER 20, 1998) (REUTERS TV - ACCESS ALL) 1. EXTERIOR SHOT OF THE JUSTICE PALACE 2. INSIDE , RYCKAERT LAWYER'S ALAIN DEMARCQ SAYING: "THE FRENCH COURT ORDERED THE RELEASE OF DOCTEUR RYCKAERT. DOCTEUR RYCKAERT WILL BE UNDER PROBATION LIKE OTHER PEOPLE IN THE AFFAIR. A 100,000 FRENCH FRANC GUARANTEE GIVEN ON OATH WAS NECESSARY; HE IS BANNED FROM SEEING OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE AFFAIR, AND MUST ANSWER JUSTICE OBLIGATIONS AND REPORT EACH MONTH AT THE POLICE STATION." (FRENCH) 3. JOURNALISTS WAITING IN FRONT OF THE JAIL FOR RYCKAERT'S DEPARTURE 4. DOCTOR RYCKAERT LEAVING JAIL 5. DOCTOR RYCKAERT SAYING: "I AM VERY HAPPY. IT WAS HARD TO STAY 100 DAYS IN JAIL. REGARDING THE DOPING SUBSTANCES, WE SUCCEEDED IN ELIMINATING A LOT OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES; WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SCIENCE TO PROPOSE BETTTER THINGS." (FRENCH) 6. RYCKAERT LEAVING IN CAR Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 5th November 1998 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: France
  • Country: France
  • Reuters ID: LVA7DFY9P6KDPB84BYBD1TZG77E8
  • Story Text: A French court has ordered the release of Festina team
    doctor Eric Ryckaert from custody.

    The order on Tuesday (October 26) was a success for
    the Belgian doctor, who has had two previous requests for
    release turned down and has been held since July 17 over the
    Tour de France doping scandal.

    In the case headed by judge Patrick Keil, Ryckaert has
    been named by several witnesses as the main organiser of
    systematic doping in the Festina team.

    Festina were disqualified from the Tour after team masseur
    Willy Voet was caught at a Franco-Belgian border post with a
    car carrying banned substances, days before the race began.

    Ryckaert has recognised there was doping but never
    administered or delivered banned substances, his lawyer Alain
    Demarcq said after a hearing last Thursday during which Voet
    and team leader Richard Virenque were also questioned.

    Ryckaert said he was happy to be released after 100 days
    in jail.

    The doctor is under investigation for contraband, illegal
    circulation of prohibited merchandise, transport, possession
    and use of stimulants, administration, incitation to use and
    supply of substances or doping procedures during sporting
    competitions or events, court sources said.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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