A THAI man appeared in Phnom Penh Municipal Court for an abortive first round of questioning on Wednesday in connection with the killing of a 20-year-old Cambodian woman in a guesthouse.

Deputy Prosector Chea Meth said the lack of an interpreter and the man’s late arrival meant the interrogation had to be delayed. “I can start questioning the man on Thursday according to court procedure,” he said.

The man, who has denied the allegations, remained in custody Wednesday at Daun Penh district police station. “After his arrest, the man was held for three days at the district police station for questioning about the murder, but the suspect refused to confess,” Nou Punthol, police chief of Psar Thmey commune said.

The victim’s body was found Saturday at the Ly Hour Guesthouse in Daun Penh district, where she had stayed with the suspect the previous night. Tipped off by the owner, police were able to identify and arrest the suspect Saturday near Canadia Bank, where he worked as an air-conditioner technician.