Czech fugitive and businessman Radovan Krejcir will appear in the Alberton Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of kidnapping, assault to do grievous bodily harm and attempted murder, National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega said today.
Addressing the media in a briefing in Pretoria following the arrest by police last night of the fugitive, Phiyega said Krejcir and one of his associates were arrested following an intensive investigation by a multi-disciplinary police team.
She stressed that the two were safe and in police custody, after the police obtained warrants of arrest in the Alberton Magistrate’s Court during the week.
She said the police intended to oppose bail, if the two suspects apply for bail.
However, she said the police would not inform the public where the suspects were being held, but would let the lawyers of the suspects know where they are.
The name of the associate arrested would be made known in court proceedings on Monday, Phiyega said.
She said she could not comment on suspicions that the fugitive was about to leave the country – reportedly for Argentina – when the arrest was carried out and added that the police did not know the whereabouts of his wife or child.
Phiyega said investigations were continuing on multiple cases linked to the Czech fugitive and added that the police hoped to make more arrests soon.
Investigators would also be probing the involvement of others, including any possible members of the police.
Krejcir is also wanted in the Czech Republic for tax fraud and other charges and Phiyega said the police were cooperating with Interpol on these matters.
She thanked the multi-disciplinary police team – tactical response team, crime intelligence, visible policing and the Hawks – for the hard work done.
Last week, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) seized Krejcir’s assets and arrested his business manager Ivan Savov and charged him with fraud involving R10 million. – SAnews.gov.za
