PHNOM PENH, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Supreme Court on Friday rejected a request for the release on bail of former opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested in September last year over treason charges, according to a court's verdict.
"The Supreme Court denies bail for Kem Sokha, and upholds the decision of the Appeal Court to continue detaining him," Supreme Court Judge Khim Pon pronounced the verdict after a three-hour bail hearing.
A lawyer team for Sokha was present at the hearing, as Sokha, being detained at the Trapaing Thlong Prison in eastern Tboung Khmum province, was not taken to the court for the hearing.
The bail denial came four days after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court extended a further six-month detention of Sokha after having placed him in a pre-trial detention for six months.
Sokha, 64, former president of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was arrested on Sept. 3 last year and charged with treason for conspiring with a foreign power in an attempt to overthrow the government. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
On Nov. 16 last year, his CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court and 118 senior party members were banned from joining politics for five years.