Former Olympic Council Of Ireland President Pat Hickey Released From Rio Prison

Former Olympic Council of Ireland President Pat Hickey "has been released from prison in Rio de Janeiro following an order by an appeal court judge," according to Tom Hennigan of the IRISH TIMES. Hickey -- who recently stepped aside as head of the OCI -- "had been in prison since his arrest" on Aug. 17 over his alleged involvement in ticketing touting at the Olympic Games. The judge granted Hickey a writ of habeas corpus "overturning a previous lower court ruling that blocked efforts" by Hickey's lawyers to secure his release. Justice Fernando Antonio de Almeida ordered that Hickey's passport be retained "to prevent him leaving Brazil while the investigation into him continues." The judge said "it is not verified, in a concrete and objective manner, the necessity of cautionary custody" and that it was not shown that Hickey's release "would bring whatever obstacle to or risk to public order, criminal investigation or, if necessary, the future application of penal law" (IRISH TIMES, 8/30).