Karel Sroubek Files New Residency Application

Immigration New Zealand confirms receipt of Czech drug smuggler Karel Sroubek’s application for residency.​

Karel Sroubek, a convicted drug smuggler, has filed an application for residency as confirmed by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

In 2008, Sroubek, who was then the world kickboxing champion, was given residency using a false passport under the name of Jan Antolik. Now, he seeks to gain residency using his true identity.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway granted Sroubek residency last September, however, Sroubek had to conform to the strict requirements, among of which were valid travel documents in his legitimate name.

According to Paul Wicks, Sroubek’s lawyer, his client is merely fulfilling the requirements imposed by the Immigration Minister and is challenging the decision that revoked his initial residency. Should the appeal be approved, Sroubek would then be a legitimate resident of New Zealand, since he has already submitted the legal documents expected of him.

Lees-Galloway previously stated that Sroubek was liable for deportation because of the invalid visa given to him because of the documents he submitted which concealed the fact that he was an excluded person for his importation of ecstasy.

In the document, Sroubek, who was then convicted and given the penalty of four years and six months incarceration in Czech Republic, indicated that he had no convictions. According to Wicks, Sroubek claims that his life is in danger should he be deported, as he is no longer supported by the Czech Republic.

In the Official Information Act documents, Minister Lees-Galloway was given six options on what possible judgments could be made against Sroubek.

The six options given are as follows:

1. Advise that no determination could be made;
2. Decide that deportation should proceed;
3. Decide that deportation liability should be cancelled;
4. Decide that deportation liability should be suspended for five years (subject to conditions in the suspension letter);
5. Decide that deportation liability should be suspended by a length of time along with conditions provided by the minister; or
6. Regularize Sroubek’s immigration status under Section 68 of the Immigration Act of 2009.