The Russian ambassador on Tuesday strenuously denied allegations that the Russian government was involved in the departure from Cambodia of businessman Sergey Polonsky, who is on bail on assault charges.
In a letter released Tuesday, Ambassador Alexander Ignatov said allegations originally published by the London-based Mail on Sunday newspaper that Mr. Polonsky was taken from Cambodia on a diplomatic plane were “absolutely groundless and aimed at discrediting the diplomatic mission.”
After spending months in detention after being charged with allegedly forcing six boatmen overboard with a knife, Mr. Polonsky was bailed in April on the condition that he remain in Cambodia to await trial.
Mr. Polonsky has since traveled to Europe and is reported to now be in Israel.
“The embassy has not been informed by the local authorities on the whereabouts of Mr. Sergey Polonsky after his release from Preah Sihanouk prison on April 3,” Mr. Ignatov’s letter says.
“In any case, we proceed from the assumption that Mr. S. Polonsky is obliged to observe the terms of his release and the embassy can in no way encourage violation of the laws of the host country.”
