Krejcir requests jail transfer, claims rights denied

CONVICTED underworld boss Radovan Krejcir has brought a fresh application before the Pietermaritzburg High Court, applying for, among other things, relocation to Johannesburg.

While the Correctional Services Department would not confirm his current location, Krejcir is believed to be at Kokstad’s C-Max Prison – the country’s most secure jail – in KwaZulu-Natal.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Logan Maistry said the application was postponed indefinitely by the court to allow the department to file opposing affidavits.

“We are opposing all the relief sought,” said Maistry.

He said that among the relief Krejcir was seeking was that he be immediately transferred to Johannesburg’s Medium C Prison and that he remain there for the duration of his impending court matters.

Krejcir has also claimed the department was “impeding and interfering” with his rights to a fair trial, the right to be visited by his family, the right to legal representation, and that the time he had for legal consultation was being unfairly restricted.

In May, his family released a tranche of correspondence setting out their numerous complaints about the prison conditions under which he was being kept.

This was sent to the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services.

In it, Krejcir’s family said he was facing human rights violations and that he had to endure “psychological torture” by being deprived of family contact and being kept away from interacting with other prisoners.

They also said there were vermin in his cell. The department denied all the allegations.

On August 24, 2015, Krejcir was convicted of attempted murder, kidnapping and dealing in drugs. He was sentenced to 35 years by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.

He is also standing trial for the 2013 Bedfordview murder of Lebanese citizen Sam Issa. The State claims the murder occurred due to a dispute over a R500 000 loan Issa made to Krejcir.

In an unrelated court action, the Czech Republic has started extradition proceedings against him to stand trial for at least four charges of fraud. – ANA

PICTURE: NOKUTHULA MBATHA NEW APPLICATION: Radovan Krejcir and his co-accused were found guilty of kidnapping, attempted murder and drug dealing at the South Gauteng High Court. He now wants a transfer.