FRAUD charges against Czech businessman Radovan Krejcir were provisionally withdrawn in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court

Krejcir appeared before Magistrate T Carstens and the state provisionally withdrew charges, citing other high court cases that were underway.

The fraud charge against him relates to a R4.5-million claim he made to an insurance company, allegedly using medical papers stating he had cancer.

His urologist, Marian Tupy, previously admitted to falsifying insurance documents so Krejcir could be paid out for bladder cancer.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the charges were provisionally withdrawn pending the finalisation of the application for a review and the setting aside of Tupy's plea and sentence agreement.

"We can't have two legal processes under way and parallel to each other," said NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga. "The outcome of the review application will have a bearing on the prosecution of the case against Mr Krejcir."

He said the NPA had already filed its opposing papers.

State prosecutor Riegal du Toit said he filed the application because other court cases overlapped this case. He said the accused did not recant his version, but said he should never have pleaded guilty.

Krejcir looked happy and relaxed. He was wearing a black blazer and T-shirt with jeans. He fought extradition to his home country in 2008, where he was sentenced in absentia to six-and-a-half years for tax fraud. He was also charged with conspiracy to murder, counterfeiting, extortion and abduction.

Last year, police "exchanged information" with Krejcir during their investigation into the murder of Teazers strip club owner Lolly Jackson, who lived in Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

Both Krejcir and Jackson's business partner Mark Andrews had claims against Jackson's estate, which was handled by lawyer Ian Jordaan.

A charred body, believed to be Jordaan's, was found on top of his bakkie, next to the R59 in Brackendowns, Alberton, in September. - Sapa