A Czech billionaire and alleged mobster in South Africa, Radovan Krejcir (seen above on July 24 after he escaped an attempt on his life) was arrested on Friday afternoon on charges of attempted murder and kidnapping, Mail & Guardian reports. It wasn't clear at the time of the arrest what it was in connection with, but there has been much speculation since 2010 that Krejcir was in some way connected to the murder of Uwe Gemballa, owner of Porsche tuning shop Gemballa. Police have said a press conference will be held on the matter on Saturday.
The last day Uwe was seen alive was in security footage at the OR Tambo airport near Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 8, 2010. Uwe was there for business and met a white-haired man who kept his back to the camera and picked him up in a Volkswagen Golf, according to an article in Excellence. He was found murdered eight months later with a plastic bag over his head.
Uwe was working with Krejcir, and there have been reports that he used Gemballa cars to launder money into South Africa. Other reports suggest a problem with the money laundering scheme was a factor in Uwe's murder, but Krejcir's involvement has yet to be proven. Uwe's wife, Christiane Gemballa, told Excellence that her husband's tuning shop had experienced financial difficulties in the recession from 2008-09. If nothing else, Gemballa's financial difficulties provide a motive for Uwe's alleged involvement in the scheme.
We'll be back with updates on the situation as more information becomes available. In the meantime, head below to see the police press release.
The last day Uwe was seen alive was in security footage at the OR Tambo airport near Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 8, 2010. Uwe was there for business and met a white-haired man who kept his back to the camera and picked him up in a Volkswagen Golf, according to an article in Excellence. He was found murdered eight months later with a plastic bag over his head.
Uwe was working with Krejcir, and there have been reports that he used Gemballa cars to launder money into South Africa. Other reports suggest a problem with the money laundering scheme was a factor in Uwe's murder, but Krejcir's involvement has yet to be proven. Uwe's wife, Christiane Gemballa, told Excellence that her husband's tuning shop had experienced financial difficulties in the recession from 2008-09. If nothing else, Gemballa's financial difficulties provide a motive for Uwe's alleged involvement in the scheme.
We'll be back with updates on the situation as more information becomes available. In the meantime, head below to see the police press release.
The South African Police Service can confirm that Radovan Krejcir was arrested just after 18:00 today, Friday 22 November 2013. He was arrested on a warrant of arrest relating to charges of attempted murder and kidnapping. Although the SAPS does not usually name a suspect before he or she appears in court, it was decided on the basis of the existence of an arrest warrant and public interest that the suspect in this instance will be identified.
The SAPS will host a press conference in Pretoria tomorrow.
The SAPS will host a press conference in Pretoria tomorrow.
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