Russian Conductor Charged With Child Sex Returns To Thailand

[webfact]

Russian conductor charged with child sex returns to Thailand

MOSCOW (AFP) -- Acclaimed Russian conductor and pianist Mikhail Pletnev flew Saturday to Thailand where he must report to authorities after being charged with r_ping a teenaged boy, his spokeswoman said.

"Mikhail Vasilievich (Pletnev) flew to Thailand today," Svetlana Chaplygina was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

Pletnev, artistic director of the Russian National Orchestra, denies the charge which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in jail.

The conductor and pianist was charged early July with r_pe of a 14-year-old boy at the southern beach resort of Pattaya, where the musician has a house, a restaurant and a music school.

A Thai court allowed him to travel overseas after he posted extra bail but required him to report back to the court every 12 days, starting from Monday.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-07-18

[fm2002]

Well he's rather very naive or innocent. Let's see how this one plays out ???

[siampolee]

At least the man is willing to face the consequences of the offences he has been accused of,

Pity that the Sino Thai Kleptomaniac Thaksin and other so called Thai upper class (in their eyes ) people or demonstration (rabble rouser's) leaders don't have the same principles.

[Bagwan]

Well he's rather very naive or innocent. Let's see how this one plays out ???

Another possibility is that people - you know who I mean - have been leaned on or paid off?  I doubt that Mother Russia would permit herself to be embarrassed by the alleged antics of one of its prominent citizens who is very visible on the world stage. It will be interesting to see how 'this plays out' but then what is released for public consumption may well be at variance with the facts of the case.  TiT. 

 This man is a great artiste of overpowering talent andI I sinoerely hope that it is proven beyond any doubt that he is a truly innocent party.   

[zorro1]

Well he's rather very naive or innocent. Let's see how this one plays out ???

Guilty or not he has done the right thing so far. If there was a 'pay off' It would have occurred on transfer of passport I would have thought. What will happen to the boy if he is guilty of fibbing? As mentioned this story will be interesting to follow

[SomTumTiger]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

[webfact]

Russian suspected child-abuse pianist back in Thailand

MOSCOW: -- A Russian pianist charged with r_ping a 14-year-old boy in Thailand returned to the South-East Asian country on Saturday, his spokeswoman said.

Mikhail Pletnev flew back from Moscow, where he was allowed to return on July 8 for a concert after promising Thai authorities he would come back to resolve matters.

The 53-year-old concert pianist denied the charges against him, Pletnev's spokeswoman Svetlana Shaplygina told the Russian news agency Interfax.

Pletnev - a renowned pianist, composer and founder of the Russian National Orchestra - was arrested on July 5 in Pattaya, a beach resort 100 kilometres south-east of Bangkok, on charges of r_ping the Thai boy.

He was released the following day on bail of Bt300,000 (9,375dollars).

Pattaya court, which initially barred Pletnev from leaving the country, later agreed to his lawyers' request that he could travel to Russia on condition he return by July 18.

-- The Nation 2010-07-18

[animatic]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Yes that would be quite obvious to him and if not those he just worked with would clearly tell him so.

Few if any care about gay as an issue, but ALL care about children.

It would seem he is not so worried about getting convicted,

so it may have been a 'soften the fall' setup from his slimy neighbor.

He was gay, and rich, and the chickenhawk pimp guy was in the neighborhood,

and targeted him as a potential client or at least source of ready cash down the line.

Oh, I can watch your house, make sure things get done, all my boys can

help with the yard work and anything you need... etc etc etc.

Not to mention putting temptation in full view,

just in case he is interested in the pimp's product line.

When pimp got taken down, or even before as reputation smearing blackmail,

did he set up the big profile conductor for a fall or pay-off?

Just needs to tell one boy to say what he wants said, if the kid is properly addicted to;

being controlled, gaming debts, drugs, sex, etc. etc. he'll say what's needed.

Not saying this is how it all happened, all hypothetical,

but Pletnev did come back and the circumstances of his being charged

have a air of fish bait to them.... If he's guilty, tough luck, lock him up,

but if not let's hope he gets a fair shake.

Edited July 18, 2010 by animatic

[elwood]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Then how come Polanski's career wasn't ended; he has been making films all the time he has been away from America, and had the celebrity luvies gushing over him.

Incidentally, weren't there a few expats on this site saying that the Thais were stupid to let the man leave the country, saying he would never return?

Elwood

[Wozzit]

Well, asiawatcher, seems like it is you who get to make the charity contribution.

And to Tokay and Chantom who never replied to my posts on the earlier thread, you would have also have had to donate sizeable amounts to charity if you had had the courage to back up your words with action. But you did not. You made strong statements about his not returning. WIll you now have the decency to admit you were wrong? WIll you also refrain from future posts about this being a man who does not fulfil his promises?

Personally I applaud him for returning. It encourages my view that he has indeed been set up.

[zorro1]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Then how come Polanski's career wasn't ended; he has been making films all the time he has been away from America, and had the celebrity luvies gushing over him.

Incidentally, weren't there a few expats on this site saying that the Thais were stupid to let the man leave the country, saying he would never return?

Elwood

Very good point. Its seems society deems it " more" Illegal for an adult to exploit a boy rather than a girl or it at least it appears that way, keeping in mind were not talking children but teens. A lot of guys joke about jail bait when its about a teenage girl however even a mild joke about a boy would deem you an instant Ped. Also a lot of pornographers try to portray teen girls to look as young as digitally possible to sell more Vids and its acceptable. Back to your point I doubt Polanski would have succeeded if he molested a boy

Edited July 18, 2010 by zorro1

[Wozzit]

Back to your point I doubt Polanski would have succeeded if he molested a boy

I am not so sure. We have to remember that Polanski's case had progressed a lot further through the US justice system than the case against Pletnev has here. To protect the young girl, several charges had been dropped and only one was left. Polanski admitted the charge, elected not to go to jury trial and had served some time. Many believe that a behind the scenes deal had earlier been made with the judge and the prosecutor and that 9 months would be his total sentence. It was only when Polanski and the defence team got an inkling that the judge - a particularly flaky one, by all accounts - was planning to change the agreement and increase the jail time that Polanski fled.

Many people in many countries believe Polanski's version of events. He pleaded guilty, served time - and so he had paid his debt to society. Certainly that is the view in all of France where he has spent most of his time since fleelng from the US. And once you have paid your debt, the French forgive and forget. One of the reasons the Swiss decided not to extradite him apparently lies in sworn testimony given quite recently by the original prosecutor. The Los Angeles District Attorney adamantly refused to the Swiss request to release the testimony. Some believe this confirms the existence of the deal. That in itsefl would be one good reason for the DA to withhold it. If not, what is the DA hiding?

So I think the two case are not at all similar. And from what I understand, the international classical music world is much, much more conservative than the more liberal world of movies. However, I do agree that in much of the world it certainly seems that child molestation cases against boys attract far more public outcry than those against under age girls.

Edited July 18, 2010 by Wozzit

[Jimi007]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Then how come Polanski's career wasn't ended; he has been making films all the time he has been away from America, and had the celebrity luvies gushing over him.

Incidentally, weren't there a few expats on this site saying that the Thais were stupid to let the man leave the country, saying he would never return?

Elwood

I didn't think he would return either. I was obviously wrong as well. It will be interesting to read about what happens next. But I applaud him for returning as promised to face the charges.

[Suradit]

Incidentally, weren't there a few expats on this site saying that the Thais were stupid ...

Elwood

A few?? It rivals golf as a farang past-time.

[Jingthing]

I posted before that he would be irrational to return. His career is one thing; his life another. If he gets sent to Thai prison for a long time that is likely the end of his life unless you consider that living. Why did he return? Who knows. Maybe he has a deal here he already knows about. Maybe he is innocent and has confidence he won't be convicted (again, that is irrational). Maybe he is feeling suicidal. Maybe other posters are right that he will have no life in Russia either if he didn't return. I still doubt we will know the real truth about this, even after the judgment. BTW, what is the legal definition of rape in Thailand? I wonder if in this case it is more like statutory rape charges in the US (not the same meaning as violent assault).

On the Polanski case, I think there are two factors. Yes, it is obvious same sex molesters are demonized even more by the public than opposite sex ones. The other factor is that the consciousness and some may say hysteria over these issues is much more pronounced than it was when Polanksi committed his crime (and yes he was guilty). Decades ago. I think if the same kind of thing happened today with a new Polanski in the US, the outcome would be very different.

Edited July 18, 2010 by Jingthing

[greens]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Roman Polanski's career never suffered.

The southern beach resort of Pattaya-Come on-Everybody knows better than that.Time for a more accurate description of that Sleazball cesspit.

How about Pervert Magnet Pattaya.

[Wozzit]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Roman Polanski's career never suffered.

Might be better if you actually read earlier posts, I suggest.

[greens]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Roman Polanski's career never suffered.

Might be better if you actually read earlier posts, I suggest.

???????

[tartempion]

0-1 for the "Hang Him High" brigade

[nikster]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

It's easy to say that in hindsight.

I'd have bet good money that he'd never return. Most would have, really. Who would go back to a place like Thailand after an accusation like this, even if innocent? I think he could have easily said "I am innocent, but I am not going back to Thailand because the courts there are not to be trusted". People would not have blamed him. That he didn't do that is quite astonishing. He has balls, that's for sure. Sure his career is at stake. But regardless, he's facing time in the BKK hilton.

Edited July 18, 2010 by nikster

[Jingthing]

Even if acquitted how can we ever know an inside deal wasn't made with this FOP? (Friend of Putin.) Agreed of course that it is surprising that he came back.

Edited July 18, 2010 by Jingthing

[leoalex]

i think him not feel guilty, it why him returned back. not because his career, not because have hidden deal with police or because putin friend. just stop demonize russians, them same as all of us but have living at different conditions.

also we know how 'smart' and how sometimes can be catching bar workers and how them want money. it can be some blackmail or things like it (just it easy to see what him has money).

what about this cds - never take just to see cd/dvd covers(!) from boys who selling them at the boyztown or at dongstan beach at jomtien. because them sell anything and really must be arrested as cp distributors.

Edited July 18, 2010 by leoalex

[webfact]

General warning - Please read before you post

- NO hang 'em high posts

- NO flames, racist comments or insults

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

by a Court of Law.

If posters cannot follow these restrictions all members in violation of these restrictions will earn an immediate suspension.

Thank you for your cooperation

Thaivisa Admin

[webfact]

Please read before you post

This topic is not about Roman Polanski

[Jingthing]

i think him not feel guilty, it why him returned back. not because his career, not because have hidden deal with police or because putin friend. just stop demonize russians, them same as all of us but have living at different conditions.

also we know how 'smart' and how sometimes can be catching bar workers and how them want money. it can be some blackmail or things like it (just it easy to see what him has money).

what about this cds - never take just to see cd/dvd covers(!) from boys who selling them at the boyztown or at dongstan beach at jomtien. because them sell anything and really must be arrested as cp distributors.

I agree with you it is not fair to demonize Russians or any nationality. I also agree the truth is very hard to know anywhere, but even more so in Thailand, the so called land of make believe. Of course blackmail could be part of it. I just don't think a trial will necessarily tell us the real truth. To the accused, the important thing of course is his fate under the law here.

[zorro1]

Even if Innocent, the presumption will be he did a deal. He is in a no win situation and his name will be tarnished forever regardless, particularly trying to explain why as a famous artist in a conservative profession did he choose Pattaya of all places to have a second home?

maybe he was the farang I saw swimming at the beach a few months back

[Jingthing]

Being gay and/or living in Pattaya is not a crime. However, it is true that it is very hard for people accused of heinous crimes to reform their reputation, even when acquitted. That's a shame, but it is fact of life.

[Wozzit]

He had no choice - if he did not return, his career as a concert pianist would be over. No promoter in the world could sell the "Come see the fugitive pedo" in concert. He has to clear him name or try at the very least.

Roman Polanski's career never suffered.

Might be better if you actually read earlier posts, I suggest.

???????

If you had read my post timed at 11:25 highlighting the major differences between the Polanski case and the Pletnev case, I suggest you would not have needed to make your post.

[Jingthing]

For Russians, Pattaya is still a dream destination. Most of the Russians here seem totally oblivious to the naughty bits. I don't think this guy's problem is his connection to Pattaya.

[TAWP]

I can say that if I was innocent, or perhaps even more so, and I was in his shoes I cannot guarantee that I would have returned. Ones faith in a justice system only goes so far, especially if one has been arrested and 'named and shamed' already for something some one know they did not do.

Good on him that he has the cojones to do it however.