Federico released on Ksh500,000, passport seized

Kibera Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi has dismissed an application by Italian athletics agent Federico Rosa seeking to have his travelling documents released as his famous clients gathered at Athletics Kenya (AK) head quarters in Nairobi to protest against his case.

The court in its ruling on Monday said that the accused person has failed to produce certified documents to show that he manages the said athletes adding that the there is no evidence to show that he has been invited for the Olympic Games in Rio-de-Janeiro and therefore, withheld his passport.

Federico’s bail terms was also enhanced by magistrate. He was given a personal bond of Ksh500,000 and two Kenyan surelities of similar amount. Earlier Rosa had been released on a bond of Ksh300,000 but the prosecution had asked the court to enhance the terms.

The Italian has denied six counts of charges related to doping and ruining the reputations of two Kenyan athletes. He was accused of conspiring with others to injure the reputations of Elijah Kiprono and Rita Jeptoo by administering prohibited substances.

The case will be mentioned on August 8 with the charges hinged on the new Anti-Doping Law amended last month as the country raced to see her athletes banned from international competition, including the August Summer Games in Brazil.

Federico who is the son of Rosa Associati founder, Dr. Gabrielle Rosa was detained in custody on Friday when the charges were first read to him at the same court.

In his application seeking to have his travel documents released, the Italian told the court he was due to travel to Friday’s IAAF Diamond League meetings in Monaco and London as well as Rio Olympics.

The federation released a statement following the initial arrest of the Rosa’s and subsequent questioning saying they had been excluded from the doping purge that has seen fellow Italian and coach, Claudio Berardelli and three local medics brought before Kibera and Milimani Law courts to face charges.

“We would like to point out that since Friday the authorities have not informed us or shared any information regarding the charges against Dr Rosa and Mr. Federico Rosa. Rosa Associati is accredited by Athletics Kenya (AK) as Athletes Representatives to enter athletes in international competition and negotiate on their behalf any contractual obligations with sponsors and meet promoters since 1990.

“They have in their stable the largest pool of international runners and have also sponsored the Discovery Cross Country and Eldoret Half Marathon for the last 24 years,” the local governing body said on July 8.

Thus far, world governing body, IAAF has been silent on the matter with Federico among the registered agents at the Monaco headquarters.

Additional reporting by Mutwiri Mutuota