(ATR) A Brazilian prosecutor will review a request for the return of Patrick Hickey’s passport early next week.
Allan Caetano, lawyer for Patrick Hickey, submitted a request on Oct. 14 for the return of his client’s passport. Irish media reported that Caetano made the request so Hickey "can travel to his homeland".
Hickey has been in Rio since August, having been arrested for ticket touting, forming a cartel, and the illegal marketing of the Rio 2016 Olympics. As part of his release from Bangu prison, Hickey was forced to relinquish his passport to Brazilian authorities. As he waits for trial, Hickey is staying in an apartment in Rio’s South Zone, rented by the Olympic Council of Ireland.
A spokesperson for the Public Ministry for the State of Rio confirmed to Around the Ringsthat prosecutor Marcos Kac will hear the request on Oct. 31.
"[The prosecutor] will provide information after it is reviewed," the spokesperson said. "On Monday we will have the decision of the prosecutor."
Previously, Kac has told international media that he supports international citizens returning home before their trials begin in Brazil. Currently, no date has been set for Hickey to appear before a judge in Rioalthough he must check in with a court on Ilha do Governador on the 20th of each month.
Hickey’s return is supported by his colleagues in Europe. Acting president of the European Olympic Committees Janez Kocijancic told the AP last week Hickey needs medical treatment and should receive it in Ireland. Kocijancic added that he and his EOC colleagues believe that Hickey committed no crime, and the Brazilian justice system will reflect that.
Kocijanic’s position was supported by a spokesperson for the IOC, who told ATR that it believes "it would be preferable that the needed treatment [for Hickey] is administered in Ireland."
Written by Aaron Bauer
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