The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request by Candlelight Party (CP) vice-president Thach Setha to release him from prison pending a Court of Appeal trial and decision regarding his case.

Presiding Judge Nil Nonn said Setha was not released to ensure he did not flee while his case is still pending in the lower court.

“In order to keep the accused Thach Setha to be present in his upcoming appeal hearing, the Judges’ Council of the Supreme Court has decided to deny his appeal and continue to detain him in prison,” Judge Nonn said.

He said Setha was charged with “issuance of dud cheque” under Article 231 of the Law on Negotiable Instrument and Payment Transactions.

He added that in this case, Setha, 70, was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on September 21 to 18 months in prison and a fine of 5 million riel (about $1,250).

The court also ordered him to pay $ 33,400 for damages to Hai Vanrin, plaintiff in the case.

During his appeal on December 15, he denied the accusation.

Setha had asked the Supreme Court to release him from prison because his health is very poor as he had heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes.

Son Chum Chuon, one of Setha’s co-lawyers, said yesterday that the decision of the Supreme Court not to release his client from prison was unjust because his arrest and charge was only based on copies of five cheques that the plaintiff provided as evidence in the lawsuit.

Setha was arrested on January 16 and is now being temporarily detained at the Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.

• Tags: Candlelight Party, Thach Setha