Elderly man charged with attempted fraud in Malaysia

A 78-year-old Czech man has been charged with attempted fraud in Malaysia, a crime that carries a prison sentence of up to ten years and the additional punishment of public flogging. The daily Právo reported that the Czech national is suspected of having tried to defraud a Malaysian with whom he had business ties. The Czech has denied any wrongdoing but will remain in custody ahead of trial, unless bail in the equivalent of 280,000 crowns is posted. On Friday, Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Hynek Kmoníček will meet with Malaysia’s ambassador to Prague to discuss the case. According to information available to Czech officials, the 78-year-old suspect travelled to Malaysia to determine whether a business cheque between his Malaysian counterpart and himself was covered.