PHNOM PENH, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Appeal Court on Thursday heard a bail application from jailed former opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was charged in September with treason.

Kem Sokha, president of the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was taken to the court at around 5:30 a.m., escorted by a convoy of security vehicles.

It was the first time that he has been allowed to appear in court since he was arrested and jailed in the Trapaing Thlong Prison in eastern Tboung Khmum province.

The closed-door bail hearing was led by Appeal Court Presiding Judge Phou Povsun.

During the bail hearing, heavy security forces have been deployed around the courthouse, which is fortified by metal barricades to prevent any disruptions to the court proceeding.

Sokha, 64, was charged with treason for conspiring with a foreign power in an attempt to overthrow the government. He could face an imprisonment between 15 and 30 years if convicted.

On Nov. 16, his CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court and 118 senior party members were banned from joining politics for five years.