Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Former South African Police Chief Appeals Graft Conviction

   VOA News 17 August 2010
   South African former police commissioner Jackie Selebi looks on during
   his sentencing at the High Court in Johannesburg, South Africa, 03 Aug
   2010

Photo: AP

   South African former police commissioner Jackie Selebi looks on during
   his sentencing at the High Court in Johannesburg, South Africa, 03 Aug
   2010

   Former  South  African  police  chief  Jackie  Selebi is appealing his
   15-year prison sentence and conviction on corruption charges.

   A spokesman for South Africa's National Prosecution Authority, Mthunzi
   Mhaga, said Tuesday that lawyers have received Selebi's application.

   He  said  prosecutors will oppose the appeal. A court date has not yet
   been set.

   Selebi, who is also the former president of Interpol, was found guilty
   last month of accepting more than $100,000 worth of bribes from a drug
   dealer, Glenn Agliotti, and others.

   In  handing  down  the  sentence, Judge Meyer Joffe said Selebi was an
   embarrassment  to  the country, and that he lied continually to escape
   the consequences of his conduct.

   The  drug dealer was the star witness in the months-long trial. Selebi
   admitted  the dealer was his friend but he denied the charges, arguing
   the case against him was politically motivated.

   The  former  police  chief is one of the highest ranking South African
   officials to be convicted of misuse of office.

   He remains free on bail.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP ve AFP.

.