Irish Olympic Ticket Scandal Suspect Wins Imminent Release

(ATR) An Irish ticket company executive wins his release from a Brazilian jail. Kevin Mallon was to be freed Saturday after a federal court ruled in his favor late Friday. Mallon was arrested August 5 in Rio de Janeiro by police investigating suspected illegal ticket sales for the Rio Olympics.

Mallon's lawyer told Around the Ringshe is seeking an immediately release from Bangu prison.

"[His freedom is being delayed due to the lack of electronic anklets in the state of Rio de Janeiro," Mallon's lawyer said. "We are at the moment looking for decision to be set free immediately.

"Mallon now has the right to defend himself of the charges in freedom."

While out of jail, Mallon is under restrictions for his movements in Rio while he awaits the disposition of his case. The court has barred him from visiting any venues connected with the Olympics or Paralympics and he has an 8 PM curfew. He is barred from leaving Brazil, his passport confiscated

Mallon’s departure from the maximum-security Bangu prison outside Rio de Janeiro means Patrick Hickey loses his cellmate.

Hickey was arrested August 17 as part of the police investigation, taken into custody at dawn from his room at the IOC hotel in Barra da Tijuca. Brazilian media followed police into the hotel and recorded the ignominious arrest of the IOC member in his bathrobe. The police now say they regret the presence of the media but were unable to prevent them from entering the hotel.

Hickey, 71, was placed in the same cell as Mallon a week ago. So farHickey has been unsuccessful in obtaining release from the jail. Now that his second passport has been delivered to Brazilian police, the likelihood increases that he may be able to win a habeas corpus petition. Otherwise, Hickey could stay in custody for about three months awaiting his turn on the court docket in Rio.

Hickey has voluntarily suspended his positions with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the International Olympic Committee while he deals with the charges against him.

Police say evidence they are accumulating is aimed at proving that Hickey played a key role in the ticketing scandal.

Investigations are now underway in Ireland as well. On Friday the OCI announced that Grant Thornton would conduct a wide ranging review of the circumstances of the Rio ticketing scandal.

The review will include the way the OCI conducted its handling of tickets for Rio as well as how accreditations for the Games were distributed. Athletes and their families will also be asked to share their experiences with the OCI ticketing program.

The report from Grant Thornton is to be finished by October 10, perhaps before Brazilian police complete their investigation of the case. The report will go to retired Judge Carroll Moran, named by the sports minister and secretary of state of Ireland to lead an overall inquiry.

Written by Ed Hula.