Czech kick boxer gets second chance

爱国爱港

http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8406006/czech-kick-boxer-gets-second-chance

11:32 Fri Jan 20 2012 AAP

A Czech kickboxer who fled to New Zealand after getting caught up in a Prague underworld murder has a chance to stay in the country after a judge decided he could be in danger if deported.

Karel Sroubek, 30, was found guilty in Auckland District Court last month on false passport charges and making false statements to immigration officials, charges which would normally attract a jail term.

But Judge Roy Wade has offered to discharge him without conviction if he completes 200 hours' community work by the end of next month, The New Zealand Herald reported on Friday.

Defence lawyer David Jones QC urged the judge to discharge Sroubek without conviction as the immigration minister can deport anyone convicted of the charges without any appeal or review.

A discharge without conviction will not necessarily stop Sroubek being deported but will give him a chance to argue his case to Immigration New Zealand.

Judge Wade said Sroubek had never been a drain on the public and had contributed to the country with his business success and kickboxing.

He believed Antolik would still be in danger from corrupt Czech authorities and the man he helped convict of murder if he were returned to the Czech Republic.

"I am satisfied that your initial false applications were as a result of you doing the right thing, not the wrong thing."

In 2003 Sroubek was caught up in the murder of a Prague car dealer when he unwittingly drove the shooter from the scene. Under pressure from police to give false testimony he fled the country and sent back a videotaped recording of his evidence.

He used a friend's passport to enter New Zealand shortly afterwards.

He has since represented the country at international kickboxing and now imports fruit beverages from Europe for supermarkets.