Thai Police Deny Paedophile Case Dropped Against Russian Pianist

[webfact]

Thai police deny paedophile case dropped against Russian pianist

Thai police Wednesday denied Russian news reports that a case against Russian pianist-composer Mikhail Pletnev on charges of child abuse had been dropped.

On Tuesday, the Interfax news agency quoted the Russian National Orchestra as saying there was "no longer is any suspicion" that Pletnev had molested a Thai boy at his home in Pattaya, 100 kilometres south-east of Bangkok.

But Pattaya police said the case was still being processed and might go to court next month.

"Today I submitted the testimony of the alleged victim to the public prosecutor, who is responsible for delivering it to the court," police Lieutenant Theerasak Aebfaeng told the German Press Agency dpa by telephone.

Pletnev was arrested in July on suspicion of having raped a 14-year-old boy. He was released on bail and was allowed to leave the country temporarily to tour with the Russian National Orchestra. The prosecution was delayed as the alleged victim was reluctant to identify Pletnev and testify, according to sources at the Pattaya public prosecutor's office.

The boy has now done so, said Theerasak, the Pattaya police officer responsible for the case.

"My responsibilities for the case are now over; the rest is up to the prosecutors," Theerasak said.

Pletnev's arrest was prompted by complaints by a children's protection group that operates in Chon Buri province, where Pattaya is situated.

His alleged victim is currently in a rehabilitation programme for abused minors run by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

Pattaya, where Pletnev has been a part-time resident for years, has come into disrepute as a haven for paedophiles.

-- The Nation 2010-12-29

[phaethon]

In other words "The cheque hasn't cleared yet."

[chuang]

In other words "The cheque hasn't cleared yet."

It bounced....

[siampolee]

I can't hear the''Tinkling of the ivories.''

However I do hear the rustle of money accompanied by the distinct and gentle effluvia of, '' Male bovine solid waste faecal matter.''

[Wozzit]

"Today I submitted the testimony of the alleged victim to the public prosecutor, who is responsible for delivering it to the court,"

This surely has to be a complete joke. Wasn't the original allegation made in early July? If there was a gram of truth in the above statement, how does it take the BIB almost 6 months to get a statement from the alleged victim? It beggars belief!

Edited December 29, 2010 by Wozzit

[sirchai]

In other words "The cheque hasn't cleared yet."

A Mobil and a cell phone for the victim should be given. :jap:

[JetsetBkk]

In other words "The cheque hasn't cleared yet."

I thought he was Russian.

[asiawatcher]

... and when the boy was asked did he get a clear description of the attacker who raped him he replied... "What? You think I have eyes in the back of my head?"

[yellow1red1]

Pattaya, where Pletnev has been a part-time resident for years, has come into disrepute as a haven for paedophiles.

Pattaya, where Pletnev as a part-time resident has come into disrepute, has been a haven for paedophiles for years.

Edited December 29, 2010 by yellow1red1

[bangon04]

"Today I submitted the testimony of the alleged victim to the public prosecutor, who is responsible for delivering it to the court,"

This surely has to be a complete joke. Wasn't the original allegation made in early July? If there was a gram of truth in the above statement, how does it take the BIB almost 6 months to get a statement from the alleged victim? It beggars belief!

Delicate negotiations take time, and occasionally there is a setback, but in the end all will be fine.

Memory loses clarity over time, but can be revived by the prospect of more revenue...

[bangon04]

Thai police deny case dropped - they haven't finished writing it yet, so how can it be dropped....

[jayjay0]

Thai police deny case dropped - they haven't finished writing it yet, so how can it be dropped....

Bottom line who are we to believe Thai Police or Russian Orchestra?

Please leave facts out.

[phaethon]

Bottom line who are we to believe Thai Police or Russian Orchestra?

Well, the Thai Police are still conducting their enquiries...

Edited December 30, 2010 by phaethon

[bangon04]

Thai police deny case dropped - they haven't finished writing it yet, so how can it be dropped....

Like all good hollywood movies, there are alternative endings available to this story...depending....

[Thongkorn]

Its probably the biggest fiddle that the Russians musician has done,

[TAWP]

Thai child rights group denies case dropped against Russian pianist

The child protection group that pressed charges against Russian pianist-composer Mikhail Pletnev for allegedly raping a Thai boy, on Tuesday denied reports that prosecutors had dropped the case.

Pletnev's lawyer, who identified himself only by his first name Somsak, claimed Tuesday morning that the prosecutor's office of Chon Buri province had decided not to pursue the case against Pletnev.

"Everything is over," Somsak told the German Press Agency dpa in a telephone interview. "Ask the prosecutor."

But the Chon Buri prosecutor's office could not be reached to confirm the lawyer's claim.

Suphakorn Noja, who heads the Chon Buri children's protection group that had worked with police to arrest Pletnev, said it was "impossible" for the case to be dropped so swiftly.

"This case involves a lot of players. If the prosecutor's office has decided to drop it, he would need to inform the Chon Buri governor first, and the governor could ask them to re-examine their decision," Suphakorn told dpa.

"The whole world is watching this case," Suphakorn said. "It will be a blow to the Thai judiciary if it is dropped."

He admitted, however, that he expected the prosector to drop the case soon.

Pletnev was arrested in July 2010 on suspicion of having raped a 14-year-old boy at his home in Pattaya, 100 kilometres south-east of Bangkok. He was released on bail and was allowed to leave the country temporarily to tour with the Russian National Orchestra.

The prosecution was initially delayed as the alleged victim was reluctant to identify Pletnev and testify, according to sources at the Pattaya public prosecutor's office.

The boy finally submitted his testimony late last month, Pattaya police sources said.//DPA

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Thai-child-rights-group-denies-case-dropped-agains-30145729.html

[TAWP]

"The whole world is watching this case," Suphakorn said. "It will be a blow to the Thai judiciary if it is dropped."

He admitted, however, that he expected the prosector to drop the case soon.

This paragraph made my nose bleed.

[JetsetBkk]

"The whole world is watching this case," Suphakorn said. "It will be a blow to the Thai judiciary if it is dropped."

He admitted, however, that he expected the prosector to drop the case soon.

This paragraph made my nose bleed.

If the prosecutor's office has decided to drop it, he would need to inform the Chon Buri governor first

Perhaps he could tell him in person, after driving to the governor's residence in his brand new Merc.