A prominent businessman is awaiting trial at Prey Sar prison after being charged with fraud at Phnom Penh municipal court.

Judge Kim Rathnarin said 39-year-old Chea Rithy accepted a loan from the general director of Cambodian Network Television, tycoon Kith Thieng, more than two years ago.

Last year, Chea Rithy allegedly wrote the tycoon a US$50,000 cheque for the repayment of the loan knowing that he did not have sufficient funds in his account.

If found guilty, Chea Rithy could face two to five years in prison.

Attorneys for Chea Rithy and Kith Thieng could not be reached for comment yesterday.

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]