(ATR) Two-time Olympic champion and honorary IOC member Kip Keino has been arrested after surrendering to Kenyan authorities on Thursday.
A day later, charges were dropped by prosecutors.
Three other suspects, including former Kenyan Sports Minister Hassan Wario, were also arrested after turning themselves by a court-imposed deadline, according to Kenyan media reports. All are expected to appear in court on Friday to face corruption charges in the misuse of money earmarked for Kenyan athletes at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
A total of seven Kenyan officials are charged in the case. Three others denied the charges in court on Monday and were released on bail.
Keino, 78, was the president of the Kenyan Olympic Committee (NOCK) at the time. Prosecutors say he was the head of an organization where corruption was rampant.
He and his six co-defendants are accused of embezzling more than $222,000. In addition, $166,000 was alleged to have been wasted on unused air tickets, $157,000 on overpaid allowances, and $64,000 on expenditures to "unauthorized persons".
IOC President Thomas Bach, asked about Keino's arrest during the closing press conference of the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, said"We have heard these reports and we need now further information before we can make any move."
Kenya’s directorate of criminal investigations (DCI) has been working on the case since December of 2016.
Despite the alleged issues, Kenya had its most successful Olympics in history in Rio, earning six golds, six silvers and one bronze medal.
Written by Gerard Farek
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