Bach failed to return to Brazil for Wednesday’s opening of the Paralympics, instead attending a friend’s funeral in Germany.
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Prosecutors say the International Olympic Committee has not been cooperating with the investigation, despite the IOC saying that it is assisting authorities.
According to a log of messages compiled by Bralian police, Hickey texted Bach in July 2015 comparing the OCI ticket allocation for Rio unfavourably with the one it had got forLondon 2012 and sent a “wish list” of significantly more tickets for some of the Games’ most sought-after events.
The police move comes just after Bach was criticised for the handling of the allegations of state sponsored doping in Russian Federation and for the handling of organising the Games in Rio.
Police investigators say the Olympic Council of Ireland received 296 more tickets after exchanges between IOC head Thomas Bach and high-ranking IOC member Patrick Hickey. It is thought he is no longer in Brazil.
On Tuesday a public prosecutor filed charges against Patrick Hickey, who has temporarily stepped down as OCI president, and nine other people including Kevin Mallon, the Irishman whose arrest on August 5th in possession of several hundred OCI tickets sparked the controversy.
Police have estimated the profits from the black market ticket sales at about $3 million.
“Mr Bach did not reply but we do know that Mr Hickey got 296 extra tickets for Rio and that is why we want to question the International Olympic Committee president”, he explained.
Earlier, prosecutor Marcos Kac indicated that those accused of ticket touting could face sentences of eight to ten years if convicted. However, he said, if the defendants did not have any past history with police, this would likely be reduced to eight to 10 years, if they are condemned.
Currently, the charges are with a judge at the Special Court for Supporters and Large Events in Rio de Janeiro.
Hickey and Mallon face charges of ticket touting, forming a criminal cartel, illicit marketing, embezzlement, tax evasion and money laundering, a statement from state prosecutors said this week, without specifying which individuals will face which charges.
Mr Hickey, ex-head of the Irish Olympic Committee, denies all allegations.
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Both Mallon and Hickey have had their passports confiscated and police said they were keen that they remain in Brazil for the duration of proceedings, though they accept this will ultimately be a matter for the courts to decide.
