Russian Conductor Charged In Thai Sex Probe

[webfact]

Russian conductor bailed in Thai sex probe: consulate

MOSCOW (AFP) -- Famed Russian conductor Mihkail Pletnev has been released on bail after Thai police searched his home in Thailand as part of a probe into paedophilia, the Russian consulate said Tuesday.

Pletnev, artistic director of the acclaimed Russian National Orchestra, was released on bail after the search in the Thai resort of Pattaya, Russian consular official in Thailand Andrei Dvornikov told RIA Novosti.

"The police informed Pletnev that some Thai citizens who had been arrested for paedophilia and producing child porn had given evidence against him," Dvornikov said.

"The police conducted a search together with Pletnev of his house, where nothing suspicious was found," he added, saying Pletnev was currently at his home in Thailand.

The consul added that Pletnev, 53, and his Thai lawyer would on Wednesday go to court to ask permission for the conductor to leave the country so he can take part in his orchestra's forthcoming tours.

He could not name the sum that had been posted to obtain his bail. Russian news website Lifenews.ru said he had been arrested at a local restaurant named "Euro Club" which he co-founded in the resort.

"In such cases, it's necessary to give judicial and consular help to a Russia citizen," Russian foreign ministry spokesman Andrei Nesterenko told the Interfax news agency.

"The Russian embassy in Bangkok is in contact with him and the Thai police are trying to clarify the situation," he said.

Russian news sites published videos apparently released by Thai police of the searches being conducted in Pletnev's home and even of his passport.

Pletnev initially shot to fame as a virtuoso pianist, winning the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1978 at the age of 21.

But in the early 1980s he started conducting and in recent years gave up piano concerts in favour of his increasingly in-demand conducting activities.

His recordings with the RNO of the Russian classics, notably symphonies by Tchaikovsky and Rakhmaninov, have been hailed by critics as all-time greats.

He is a member of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's advisory council on culture and art and in 2005 won a Grammy award for best chamber music performance.

Viola player Yuri Bashmet, another Russian musician who grew up through the Soviet system to become an international classical star, said he was "in shock" at the news.

"If it is true then he will have to answer according to the law," Bashmet told Komsomolskaya Pravda.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-07

UPDATE

Famed Russian conductor charged with r_ping boy in Thailand

BANGKOK, July 7, 2010 (AFP) - Famed Russian conductor Mikhail Pletnev has been charged in Thailand with r_ping a boy aged under 15, a crime that carries up to 20 years in prison, police said Wednesday.

"He was initially charged with r_ping a boy under 15 which carries a jail term of four to 20 years," Lieutenant Colonel Omsin Sukkanka told AFP by telephone from the Thai coastal resort of Pattaya.

He said police were considering whether to also file charges of illegal detention of a juvenile against Pletnev, a 2005 Grammy award winner for best chamber music performance.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-07

[webfact]

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Be aware the person mentioned in this article has not been tried by a Court yet

If posters cannot follow these restrictions then the topic will be closed immediately and all members in violation of these restrictions will earn an immediate suspension.

Thank you for your cooperation

Thaivisa Admin

[march]

Mikhail Pletnyov

Reports of arrest of Russian conductor in Thailand denied

July 6, 2010 18:06 Moscow Time

The Voice of Russia

Reports that chief conductor of the Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnyov, was arrested in Thailand are false, a press-secretary for the orchestra, Svetlana Chaplygina, told RIA-Novosti.

The Pattaya Daily News reported Tuesday that a famous Russian pianist and conductor, Mikhail Pletnyov, was arrested on suspicion of involvement in a child prostitution network.

“We phoned Mr. Pletnyov, who is on holidays resting in his home in Thailand, and he told us that he was not arrested and was going to return to Russia as his vacation is coming to an end”, Chaplygina said.

She added that on July 9 the orchestra is scheduled to start performing in Europe.

The Russian Embassy in Thailand was informed on the arrest of a Russian national named Pletnyov but has not yet received any official information from the authorities on the issue, the Russian Embassy official Andrei Dvornikov said.

http://english.ruvr.ru/2010/07/06/11611576.html

[boogiewoogie]

this man have a huge reputation as closeted homosexual back home in russia, everybody knew he dated men.<br><br>Funny coincedence: he was accused in 98 in the very same crime, but was realesed later. He is a big person in russia so i think he just bribed hes way out or his powerfull friends helped him.<br><br>in my personal opinion i think he did it.<br>

[march]

[jfchandler]

If someone has been "released on bail", that would suggest someone was first arrested and charged with something by the police...

But, the above news reports don't say anyone was arrested, and don't say what that anyone was charged with....

How can anyone be "released on bail" if they haven't first been charged with something???

[march]

If someone has been "released on bail", that would suggest someone was first arrested and charged with something by the police...

But, the above news reports don't say anyone was arrested, and don't say what that anyone was charged with....

How can anyone be "released on bail" if they haven't first been charged with something???

Refer to the highlighted area below:

Thai Police Interview Acclaimed Pianist in Sex Inquiry

07 July 2010

The Moscow Times

Mikhail Pletnev, one of the most acclaimed Russian pianists and conductors, was questioned by Thai police as part of a child sex investigation and released on bail without any charges being filed, the Russian Embassy in Bangkok said Tuesday.

Pletnev will likely be allowed to leave the country to go on a European tour with his Russian National Orchestra on Friday, Russian Consul Andrei Dvornikov said, RIA-Novosti reported.

"I just spoke to Pletnev on the phone. There was no arrest as such. He did not spend even a minute in the prison cell," Dvornikov said.

Dvornikov said Pletnev, 53, was released on bail of an unspecified sum and was not asked to surrender his passport. Thai law requires suspects to post bail even if no charges have been filed, RIA-Novosti reported.

Svetlana Chaplygina, a spokeswoman for the Russian National Orchestra, which was founded by Pletnev in 1990, confirmed that Pletnev had not been charged.

"This is a very weird story. We don't know where it comes from," she told Interfax, adding that "nothing has been canceled" and the tour is scheduled to proceed as planned.

Omsin Sukkanka, a Thai investigator working on the case, said Pletnev was accused of molesting one boy and appearing in compromising photographs with several others in the beachside town of Pattaya, The Associated Press reported.

Sukkanka told RIA-Novosti that locals suspected of running a child prostitution ring implicated Pletnev, but a search of Pletnev's house produced no evidence against him.

Pletnev, an Arkhangelsk native, won the prestigious International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1978 and a Grammy Award in 2005.

Pletnev, who is currently a resident of Switzerland, spends a month or two every year in Thailand, where he has a house, his childhood friend, cellist Sergei Korniyenko, told the Izvestia daily in 2007.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/thai-police-interview-acclaimed-pianist-in-sex-inquiry/409879.html

[jfchandler]

Thank you for the post, March...

But... HUH????? That's a new one on me. I've never heard the criminal justice legal system here works in that fashion....

Dvornikov said Pletnev, 53, was released on bail of an unspecified sum and was not asked to surrender his passport. Thai law requires suspects to post bail even if no charges have been filed, RIA-Novosti reported.

[webfact]

Thai police arrest world-class Russian pianist

BANGKOK: -- Thai police arrested a well-known Russian pianist at a beach resort for alleged child abuse, officials said Wednesday.

Michail Pletnjow, 53, a world-class pianist and composer, was arrested Monday in Pattaya on charges of raping a 14-year-old Thai boy.

"The boy has agreed to testify against him so we'll proceed with the case," said Police Lieutenant Omsing Sukgankha, of the women and children's rights protection division.

If found guilty, Pletnjow faces up to 20 years in jail.

Pletnjow was a frequent visitor to Pattaya beach resort, 100 kilometres south-east of Bangkok, where he owned several houses and had set up a music school, police said.

According to Pattaya-based child protection groups, the pianist had a history of child abuse in the resort that is somewhat notorious for its night entertainment and prostitution scene.

"We've been compiling evidence against him for some time now," Omsing told German Press Agency.

-- The Nation 2010-07-07

[Phil Conners]

Regardless of the charge and the outcome ... What a nightmare to have that media circus trample around in your house without being able to throw them out. Disgraceful!

[Lumumba]

Regardless of the charge and the outcome ... What a nightmare to have that media circus trample around in your house without being able to throw them out. Disgraceful!

Disgraceful to be trampling on young boys.

[TAWP]

It has not been proven that he have done anything wrong and no evidence was found at his place.

Could be a case of 'I give you a name and you will be nice to me'-deal that took place before his name was mentioned...

[wimpy]

Disgraceful to be trampling on young boys.

Oh, so you have found him guilty already eh?

[Phil Conners]

Regardless of the charge and the outcome ... What a nightmare to have that media circus trample around in your house without being able to throw them out. Disgraceful!

Disgraceful to be trampling on young boys.

Does the words "considered innocent until proven guuilty by a court of law" have any meaning to you? Do they really need the whole media circus trampling around in his private home, touching, pilfering stuff, who knows what?

[kuffki]

vERY Interesting this news was already out yesterday all over TV in Pattaya and according to police they did not find any child porn or any evidence.

So it might be wise to wait to see some proof before hanging the guy

[asiawatcher]

As an 'artist' he is probably more than a bit 'bent' as already 'evidenced'. But there is a vast difference between homosexuality and child abuse!

Let it get sorted but yes, the usual Police circus and invasion by press on the premises could leave 'anything' planted without interference so if it is a setup then admissible damning evidence could easily be found if the Thai police wished it to be. The fact they did not would lend itself to waiting for clarification. No one should be tried by sloppy Thai media, no matter what the charge.

[Phuket Stan]

After viewing the vidio in post 10 it does not look like the interior of the house has very much panache and style for an alleged world famous musician...same could be said for the exterior...all done in the El Cheapo style and very untidy.....most musicians/artistes have a flair for making a silk purse out of a sows ear...think there is more to this than what has so far been divulged/reported...

[csolgosz]

As an 'artist' he is probably more than a bit 'bent' as already 'evidenced'.

Oh, so being an un-gifted person living a meaningless life "as already evidenced" makes you less 'bent'????

[Rimmer]

UPDATE

Exclusive Follow-up with Accused Russian Paedophile

PATTAYA: -- Following the arrest of a reputable Russian musician over child pornography and prostitution allegations in Pattaya on Monday, Pattaya Daily News has managed to obtain an exclusive interview with the man himself, Mr. Mikhail Pletnev.

Pattaya, the 6th of July 2010 [PDN]: Mr. Pletnev is a famous Russian pianist, conductor and composer who has over 30 years of experience in the music industry. Most notably Mr. Pletnev is responsible for founding the Russian National Orchestra in 1990 due to his strong friendship with former Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev. The Russian National Orchestra was the first privately operated, non-government backed orchestra in Russia since 1917.

Having played for such dignitaries as the Russian and American Presidents, various royal families, celebrities and even Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand, Mr. Pletnev has intermittently been residing in the Kingdom for the last 15 years. Although his work commitments as an exclusive contract pianist with the Deutsche Gramophone Company do not allow him too permanently reside anywhere.

Despite all of his fame and notoriety, Mr. Pletnev has now found himself embroiled in allegations of child prostitution and pornography with his arrest on Monday morning whilst he was in a café at the Euro Badminton Complex in Pattaya. Police apprehended Mr. Pletnev due to his relationship with a Thai man, Mr. Traiphop Bunphasong who was arrested on Sunday and later implicating as the leader of a child prostitution racket in Pattaya.

Mr. Pletnev explained to PDN that he had known Mr. Bunphasong for many years and that he was a talented artist, but that he had no knowledge of any illegal activities that Mr. Bunphasong is alleged to have been involved with. Having frequently visited the region for many years, Mr. Pletnev owns two houses in Pattaya both of which he was paying Mr. Bunphasong to look after whilst he was frequently away from the country performing.

The full text of the interview is HERE

PATTAYA DAILY NEWS

-- 2010-07-07

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[theoldgit]

Regardless of the charge and the outcome ... What a nightmare to have that media circus trample around in your house without being able to throw them out. Disgraceful!

Absolutly right, and I suppose the media circus just stumbled accross this raid.

[CrossBones]

The media, Thai Visa included, should be publishing things like this were people are suspected of pedophilia. All it means someone is suspected and their name and sometimes photos are spread all over the world and their life is ruined for ever. Someone makes a possibly false allegation, police search their home find nothing and they are forever a suspected pedophile possibly ruin their own life.

Thisis gutter press

[kuffki]

After viewing the vidio in post 10 it does not look like the interior of the house has very much panache and style for an alleged world famous musician...same could be said for the exterior...all done in the El Cheapo style and very untidy.....most musicians/artistes have a flair for making a silk purse out of a sows ear...think there is more to this than what has so far been divulged/reported...

Musicians are not the same as other artists, also Russian musicians are not the best paid people in the world, even though some are the best in the world

[theoldgit]

It isgraceful to be trampling on young boys.

It most certainly is, but before one is subjected to the biased media circus, and even more biased TV posters, there actually has to be some evidence.

Let's just hope you don't find yourself subjected to such a media frenzy.

[theoldgit]

The media, Thai Visa included, should be publishing things like this were people are suspected of pedophilia. All it means someone is suspected and their name and sometimes photos are spread all over the world and their life is ruined for ever. Someone makes a possibly false allegation, police search their home find nothing and they are forever a suspected pedophile possibly ruin their own life.

Thisis gutter press

I really think you mean, shouldn't be publishing things like this.

[leemac]

Regardless of the charge and the outcome ... What a nightmare to have that media circus trample around in your house without being able to throw them out. Disgraceful!

Disgraceful to be trampling on young boys.

Let's just say Lumumba is guilty of the same thing, until he can prove otherwise, and see how he likes it.

[Considered Opinion]

this man have a huge reputation as closeted homosexual back home in russia, everybody knew he dated men.<br><br>Funny coincedence: he was accused in 98 in the very same crime, but was realesed later. He is a big person in russia so i think he just bribed hes way out or his powerfull friends helped him.<br><br>in my personal opinion i think he did it.<br>

And your opinion is worth what.... ? TV has said no flames, hang em highs etc., yet leave that on the board.

Suggest Admins include such rubbish in the list of comments not tolerated..

[animatic]

As an 'artist' he is probably more than a bit 'bent' as already 'evidenced'.

Oh, so being an un-gifted person living a meaningless life "as already evidenced" makes you less 'bent'????

Ditto.

Obviously said be someone without an artistic neuron to be found,

but a cock-sure moral sense that all artistically inclined souls are moral midgets.

[StateSix]

If someone has been "released on bail", that would suggest someone was first arrested and charged with something by the police...

But, the above news reports don't say anyone was arrested, and don't say what that anyone was charged with....

How can anyone be "released on bail" if they haven't first been charged with something???

You first get arrested on suspicion of committing an offence and get interviewed. The police may then need to investigate further dependent upon what was said in the interview, so release you on bail to return at a later date. They can then interview you again and then bail, charge or release you with no charge.

It's standard practice to bail without charge. The bail just means there are conditions attached - return to the police station on the required date, stay away from potential witnesses, do not leave the country etc.

[Considered Opinion]

The media, Thai Visa included, should be publishing things like this were people are suspected of pedophilia. All it means someone is suspected and their name and sometimes photos are spread all over the world and their life is ruined for ever. Someone makes a possibly false allegation, police search their home find nothing and they are forever a suspected pedophile possibly ruin their own life.

Thisis gutter press

Hear Hear

[cyrussh99]

I am wondering that why first police not provide an interpolator for him and secondly this is absolutely

awful before his crime be proven how journalism patrolled in his house and mocking him.

If he does not guilty so what about his reputation and how he can live in his house again.........

I am 100% disagree with gay and underage sex but we have to prove before punishment !!!!!!!!!

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