Cambodian court frees former Russian tycoon
Reuters | 13 Jan. 2014
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian
court freed Russian real estate tycoon Sergei Polonsky on Monday and he
will not be extradited to Russia to face embezzlement charges there,
his lawyer said.
Polonsky, who
was once worth $1.2 billion, is accused of fraud in a case in which
authorities say 5.7 billion roubles ($175 million) was stolen from
investors in a Moscow real estate development project.
Polonsky's Cambodian lawyer Benson Samay said judges at closed-door
decision at the Appeal Court on Monday cited the lack of an extradition
treaty between Cambodia and Russia in informing their decision.
He also told reporters his client would stay in the country to fight other charges.
Polonsky was detained last year in Cambodia and released on bail in
April with two other Russians after being charged with assault and
illegal detention after an alleged altercation with the crew of a
tourist boat.
"He won't be
extradited to Russia and he will continue to help Cambodia by investing
here," his lawyer told reporters. "I will help him find a wife, he is a
good man."
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