BAKC Won't Admit Michael Pestman to the Bar

Word on the street is that Noun Chea's lawyer Michael Pestman, who recently filed a peremptory challenge of Pre-Trial Chamber President Ney Thol, is about to be denied admission to the Bar which, if effective, will prevent him from practicing law before the ECCC. The Bar Association is reported to have cited Mr. Pestman's de facto commencement of the practice of law without being admitted to the Bar in Cambodia which the Association argued violates its statute. As of this hour, no official statement -- either by the court or the BAKC -- has yet been made.