Paris court delays decision on jailed SocGen trader

By Sudip Kar-Gupta and Thierry Leveque

PARIS (Reuters) - Jerome Kerviel, the trader accused of causing record losses at French bank Societe Generale (SOGN.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), faced another weekend in prison after a Paris court delayed a ruling on Friday on whether he should be released.

The court put back its decision until March 18.

"It has been done for purely practical reasons," said Jean Reinhart, a lawyer representing Societe Generale.

SocGen unveiled 4.9 billion euros ($7.64 billion) of losses in January that it said were caused by rogue deals carried out by Kerviel, a junior trader at the bank.

Kerviel, 31, has been placed under formal investigation for breach of trust, computer abuse and falsification. He has been held in Paris's La Sante prison since February.

Kerviel's lawyers have asked for him to be released while prosecutors say he should remain in custody.

The hearing took place behind closed doors but lawyers present said Kerviel was in the courtroom.

Christophe Reille, a spokesman for Kerviel, told reporters the trader remained in good health despite his detention.