MOSCOW, March 20 - RAPSI. The Foreign Ministry has called on Russian psychiatrists to visit a businessman who has been imprisoned in Cambodia.

Sergei Polonsky, a renowned property developer in prison in Cambodia, has asked for a medical evaluation and is prepared to pay for Russian doctors to travel to visit him, the ministry reported on Facebook on Wednesday.

"Although Polonsky has been informed that the Foreign Ministry does not usually certify psychiatrists, he continues to insist that Russian specialists should be sent to him and refuses the services of foreign doctors," the ministry said. "Therefore, we ask Russian medics, who have the required qualifications, to travel to Cambodia to examine Polonsky. He guarantees that all of their travel expenses will be covered."

Volunteers should get in touch with Polonsky on his Facebook and LiveJournal accounts.

"Meanwhile, we are ready to provide assistance to the volunteer in respect to travel documents," the ministry said. "We also confirm our determination to provide all of the necessary assistance to the Russian national in defending his rights. We wish that Mr. Polonsky will remain in good health, vigor and optimism."

On January 21, Polonsky burned his bed linens and books in a bonfire on his cell floor to protest the fact that he remains in custody even after the victims recalled their lawsuits against him. The stunt landed him in a disciplinary cell.

The real estate magnate was arrested on December 30 for allegedly attacking six local sailors on a boat, and ultimately forcing them overboard at knife point.

The billionaire is now in a Cambodian prison cell waiting to learn whether or not a recent out-of-court settlement with the crew members will shield him and his accomplices from criminal liability.

Although the sailors readily dropped their claims upon receiving Polonsky's offer to dole out damages, the decision rests with the court. If convicted on assault charges, he could be relegated to a prison cell for the next three years.