Jailed Russian businessman Nikolai Doroshenko is yet to be released on bail despite an Appeal Court judge ordering that he be set free on Monday.
Appeal Court prosecutor Ouk Savuth has filed a complaint with the Supreme Court regarding the decision to release Doroshenko, the nemesis of fugitive Russian tycoon Sergei Polonsky and owner of Sihanoukville’s Snake House restaurant.
As a result, his release now “depends on the Supreme Court”, Doroshenko’s lawyer Nach Try said. He added that Doroshenko’s passport had been deposited to secure his release.
The Russian herpetologist, also a Cambodian citizen, has been imprisoned since March 25 following a complaint from Polonsky alleging fraud in relation to a land dispute.
Tan Naret, the deputy director of Preah Sihanouk Provincial Prison, confirmed that Doroshenko remained behind bars due to the prosecutor’s appeal.
Neither Appeal Court judge Khun Leang Meng nor Savuth could be reached for comment.
Polonsky’s lawyer Kaspars Cekotins said the decision was due to Doroshenko’s alleged intention to flee the country, and that he “has nothing to bail with”.