European IOC Chief Arrested In Rio Over Ticket Scam: Police

Sumaira FH Published August 17, 2016 | 06:19 PM

RIO DE JANEIRO, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th August, 2016) - Europe's International Olympic Committee chief was arrested Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro over an alleged international Olympic ticket sales scam, police said. City police acted to "carry out an arrest warrant and search warrant against Patrick Joseph Hickey, from Ireland, a member of the International Olympic Committee," police said in a statement.

"He was arrested," a spokesman confirmed. Hickey, 71, head the the Olympic Committee of Ireland, which would only say that it was "seeking total clarity on the situation before we comment further." Brazilian media reports said Hickey was arrested at a hotel for Olympic officials in Rio's posh Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, near the main Olympic sites.

He reportedly fell ill during his arrest and was taken to hospital.