Praha - President Klaus granted a pardon Thursday to a man who tried to sell his hip joint via internet.

Police charged the man with an attempted fraud. "President Klaus ordered not to launch the criminal proceedings, though," said President's spokesman Radim Ochvat.

The seller, lawyer Přemysl Donát, placed the advertisement on the Aukro auction site, asking CZK 35,000 for the president's joint after he underwent a hip operation.

Discount to students

Donát removed the advertisement after Aktuálně.cz informed the lawyer that human organs and bones are on the Aukro´s list of banned items.

The ad was rather crafty, even offering a discount to students or charity organizations:

"Hip joint of President Klaus who was operated on June 3, 2008 in the Bulovka Hospital now for sale. Preserved by plastination - safe to expose to light. A 10 percent discount to NGO organizations and students of economy (student ID or certified copy required). Safe and unique long-term investment in a "relic". Payment possible in EUR according to the relevant exchange rate."

The Bulovka Hospital denied that anyone could ever obtain the president's joint, adding that the bone was destroyed in accordance with normal procedures.