Opposition Senator Hong Sok Hour, who has been in prison since August on incitement and fraud charges, had his request for bail on health grounds heard by the Supreme Court on Friday.
Mr. Sok Hour presented his case during an hourlong hearing before Judge Khem Pon, promising to deposit 20 million riel (about $5,000) along with both his Cambodian and French passports were he to be granted bail, according to his lawyer, Choung Choungy.
“The most important things my client raised in the hearing were that he has chronic diseases, including high blood pressure and a stomach-related disease, and that he recently contracted the flu from other inmates,” he said.
“And he told the court that he would deposit 20 million riel and his two passports…to guarantee that he will never flee the country.”
The senator has already had requests for bail rejected by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and Court of Appeal. Judge Pon said he would reach a decision by March 4.
