Former Phnom Penh Municipal Court clerk Kruoch Borath, who is currently serving a sentence of four and a half years for embezzlement, requested bail at the Supreme Court.

Borath was arrested on October 29 at a Tonle Bassac nightclub, tried in the lower court three months later, and sentenced.

Dissatisfied with the court’s decision, Borath went to the Appeal Court, which upheld the lower court’s decision.

Borath, accused of embezzling $250,000 from the plaintiff in a 2011 civil case, claims he only received $75,000, with the rest going to his previous superior, judge Ke Sakhorn.

Borath agreed to pay back the $75,000 if he was released on bail for $125,000 so he would have a better chance in the next trial.

Borath’s defence lawyer, Put Theavym, said his client was not solely responsible for the crime and should not have to pay the full amount.

The verdict of the bail request will be announced on July 24.