Lawyers steer clear of Krejcir
Radovan Krejcir says he has approached 12 law firms trying to find legal representation, but no one will help him.
|||Johannesburg - Radovan Krejcir has apparently approached 12 law firms trying to find legal representation, but no one will help him in his upcoming murder trial.
The Czech fugitive is on trial for the 2013 murder of alleged Bedfordview drug kingpin Sam Issa, and appeared on Tuesday at the high court in Joburg, where it was revealed Krejcir still had not managed to secure a lawyer.
The trial has been on hold for months after Krejcir was abandoned by his former lawyer, Cliff Alexander, who withdrew because of issues over the Czech paying his legal fees.
Since then, Krejcir has told the courts presiding over his numerous criminal cases - and an extradition matter - that he had approached the curator of his estate to request funds to pay for his legal fees.
Krejcir's millions have been put under preservation order by the South African Revenue Service. On Tuesday at the high court, where the trial was meant to continue, he explained he still had not found a lawyer, despite approaching 12 companies.
While the court remained sympathetic, Krejcir was given only one more chance to get legal representation, with the Czech claiming he was willing to represent himself at his next appearance if he failed to do so.
The trial continues on Thursday.
Last year, Krejcir was sentenced to 35 years in prison for attempted murder, kidnapping and attempted drug dealing after torturing the brother of a man who had fled with a large supply of crystal meth.
Krejcir is also set to be tried for an alleged assassination attempt on forensic consultant Paul O'Sullivan and the police's Colonel Nkosana "Killer" Ximba.
He has also been charged alongside a Correctional Services officer for an escape plot where gunmen were allegedly set to storm Zonderwater prison where Krejcir was being held earlier this year.
Sources linked to the cases have informed The Star that there are still numerous other charges set to be laid against Krejcir, but only after the current criminal matters are finalised.
shain.germaner@inl.co.za
The Star