Court Again Denies Bail To CNRP Councilor

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday again denied bail to an elected CNRP district councilor who is being detained pending trial over his role in the alleged “insurrection” at a protest at Freedom Park last July.

Presiding Judge Taing Sunlay denied bail to Suon Vuthy, a CNRP councilor for Phnom Penh’s Chbar Ampov district, and set another bail hearing for February 23, according to the official’s lawyer, Sam Sokong.

Mr. Vuthy was asking for bail on the basis that he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, and requires treatment for both medical conditions.

“Today the municipal court denied bail for my client again, with the court claiming to have many reasons,” Mr. Sokong said, before recounting the court’s reasoning. “The prison has doctors if he faces health problems…[and] his disease can be treated by taking pills,” he said.

Leaving the court, Mr. Vuthy said he hoped his next application for bail would be successful. “I believe that Prime Minister Hun Sen and [CNRP President] His Excellency Sam Rainsy will take my case to continue negotiations,” he said.

Court officials could not be reached.

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