Jailed Cambodian-American businessman Richer San on Thursday was denied bail by the Appeal Court, which said he must remain interned at PJ prison until his trial begins for allegedly defrauding Phnom Penh dentist Eng Lykuong of $1 million.
The 52-year-old appealed to the court on Tuesday to be released on health grounds to await trial at his residence in Phnom Penh.
But at a brief closed-door hearing on Thursday, Presiding Judge In Vanvibol denied him bail, saying there was too great a risk that the suspect would flee Cambodia.
Mr. San is accused of conning Ms. Lykuong into investing in Akra Agricultural Partners Inc. alongside three company partners—New York State Assemblyman William Nojay, former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Sichan Siv and Texan businessman Thomas Willems.
The latter two men fled Cambodia shortly after a court summons was issued ordering them to remain in the country.
Ms. Lykuong said the court’s decision was a relief.
“If the court released Mr. San on bail he could have escaped to his home in the U.S. and there would be no trial and no justice for me,” she said.
