Sok Bun, the real estate tycoon jailed after being caught on camera viciously beating former TV presenter Ek Socheata in July, has been receiving medical care outside of prison for a variety of ailments.

According to Dr Chhoeung Yav Yen, deputy director of the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, the tycoon has been receiving treatment at his hospital on and off over the past three months. Bun applied for a medical transfer in December.

Yen said yesterday that along with suffering from stress, the accused tycoon “could not sleep”, had “fat around his liver” and a cyst.

“[Bun] has gained weight. This morning when we gave him a check up, he had a heart problem. And he suffers when the weather is cold,” added the doctor.

Yen would not say how long Bun had spent in the hospital during his visits.

“Some diseases need long treatment, some only a short time. Our team just performs according to our technical expertise,” he said. “We are not involved with his court case.”

Nuth Savana, spokesman for the General Prison Department, confirmed that Bun was leaving prison for care, though did not know how often.

“When the doctors at the prison can’t treat a prisoner, according to law they may get treatment outside by getting permission from prosecutors and . . . the Prison Department,” said Savana.

Legal expert Sok Sam Oeun said that legally, a transfer such as Bun’s could only take place if the prisoner was suffering from serious or life-threatening injuries. “There must be a good reason,” he said.