Ullrich willing to give DNA sample in Germany

By Susan Westemeyer

Jan Ullrich is willing to travel to Germany and give a DNA sample for German prosecutors to compare to DNA in blood bags taken in Operación Puerto, but he is apparently not willing to let the German prosecutors use a DNA sample obtained during a search of his home in Switzerland last September.

"In a letter from January 22 to the Bonn prosecutors, Jan Ullrich clearly communicated through his attorneys that he is ready at any time to give a saliva sample in Germany," said Ullrich's spokesman Michael Lang. "Jan Ullrich has many times made known his willingness to cooperate with the prosecutors."

Bonn, Germany, prosecutor Fred Apostel announced on Tuesday that Ullrich's attorneys had asked a court in Switzerland to prevent the turnover of the Swiss DNA sample.

However, according to Ullrich's attorneys, the request is aimed at protecting private papers taken in the search of Ullrich's house in September, such as calendars and notes. It was not clear from statements from Ullrich's attorneys and spokesman why the DNA sample taken in September was not suitable for analysis in the Operación Puerto case.

Ullrich's attorney, Johann Schwenn, told German news agency sid that "We don't yet have an appointment for it [the DNA test], but we will soon." Co-attorney Peter-Michael Distel added, "We are handling this case very constructively with the aim of getting Herr Ullrich back on his bike quickly. We are not blocking anything."