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Prosecutor formally lays charges over Rio Olympic tickets

Pat Hickey in Rio
Pat Hickey in Rio Pat Hickey in Rio

THE Public Prosecutors Office in Rio has laid charges against Ireland's former top Olympic official Pat Hickey over an alleged Olympic Games ticketing scam.

Prosecutor Marcus Kac has passed charges against the 71 year-old and fellow Irishman Kevin Mallon to a judge, who will decide whether to accept or reject them.

Mr Hickey and Mr Mallon have spent time in Rio's notorious Bangu Prison but were released on bail in August.

Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Hickey has temporarily stood aside as president of the Olympic Council of Ireland during the investigation.

Mr Mallon is the Dublin-based director of THG Sports, a corporate and sports hospitality company.

Another eight men were also listed on the charge sheet, according to reports on RTÉ News.

It is understood the judicial process could take as long as two years before it comes to court.

Mr Kac told RTÉ that it was very possible the passports of Mr Hickey and Mr Mallon would be returned to them, on the expectation they would come back to the country when the case reached court.

Mr Mallon met police for further questioning on Monday and Mr Hickey was to be questioned again yesterday

In a statement, the Hickey family he would "not be making any comment in the police station at his pre-arranged questioning".

"He will be invoking his constitutional right to silence because the Brazilian police have released documents to the media that Pat's lawyers have had no access to."