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Cambodia Postpones Polonsky Extradition, Lawyer Says

The former tycoon, who is also wanted in Russia, will have to face his Cambodian charges before extradition hearings. @sergei.polonsky.16

Cambodia has put on hold legal proceedings to extradite disgraced tycoon Sergei Polonsky, his lawyer said.

The Russian Embassy in Cambodia could not confirm the information, saying it has not been officially notified so far.

Lawyer Alexander Karabanov said Tuesday that a court suspended extradition procedures because the prosecutors were unable to find grounds for legal and criminal proceedings in an international arrest warrant issued by Russia via Interpol.

Formerly one of Russia's richest construction magnates, Polonsky is wanted in Russia for allegedly participating in an embezzlement of 5.7 billion rubles ($175 million) from investors in an upscale residential project in Moscow. He denies the charges.

"Polonsky will be transferred to another prison, and extradition hearings will be postponed until a trial on Cambodian charges is over," the lawyer said.

Polonsky was arrested in Cambodia in December last year together with two friends after allegedly attacking the crew of a boat ferrying the three men from a Cambodian island to a nearby resort city. He has been cleared of those charges.

He was detained again in November.

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