Krejcir, co-accused to appeal convictions and sentencing

JOHANNESBURG – Radovan Krejcir and his co-accused is will apply for leave to appeal their convictions and sentences on Wednesday.

They will also try to secure bail when they approach the South Gauteng High Court.

The group was sentenced to 238 years in prison collectively, of which the effective period of imprisonment would be 130 years.

They were convicted of attempted murder, kidnapping and dealing in drugs in August last year.

Judge Collin Lamont handed down sentences to Krejcir and his co-accused on Tuesday.

Krejcir got a 55-year prison sentence for masterminding a multi-million rand drug deal, which the judge said went “horribly and violently wrong”.

“I accordingly impose the following punishment…accused number 1 on count 1 — 25 years imprisonment, count 2 — 15 years imprisonment, count 3 — 15 years imprisonment. Ten years of each of count 2 and 3 shall be served concurrently with the 25 years on count 1 the effective period of imprisonment is accordingly 35 years,”decreed Lamont.

Krejcir’s accomplice, Desai Luphondo also got a 55-year prison sentence with the effective period of imprisonment being 35 years broken down as that of the Czech fugitive’s.

Each of the Hawks officers who assisted Krejcir in the matter were handed an effective 15-year jail term.

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Judge Lamont decreed for accused 3 on count 2 — 15 years in prison, on count 3 — 15 years, totaling 3 and 2 concurrently — will serve an effective 15 years imprisonment.

For accused accused 4 count 2 — 15 years, count 3 — 1 year totaling concurrent sentences 2 and 3, effective 15 years in prison.

Accused 5 was given 12 years on count 1, 15 years on count 2 and 15 years on count 3 the sentencing of count 1,2 and 3 will run concurrently — effective 15 years in prison.

Accused 6 on count 2 — 15 years, count 3 — 15 years the sentences are to run concurrently which means he will serve  an effective 15 years in prison.

Two hours before Lamont handed down his sentences Krejcir said “the sentence proposed by the state is shockingly inappropriate and very harsh”.