AN Appeal Court hearing for former police chief Heng Pov was delayed Wednesday when he informed the court he could no longer afford to pay his defence attorney.

Defence lawyer Kav Soupha said Wednesday that he had made requests to the Municipal Court and to Prime Minister Hun Sen himself to unfreeze Heng Pov's bank accounts so he could pay his legal fees and take care of his family.

"Heng Pov and I are now awaiting a reply ... because the Municipal Court's decision to block his withdrawals from the bank is illegal," he said.

Heng Pov is currently serving a 58-year prison sentence for a battery of charges including murder and extortion.