Report: Russian pianist will not face child abuse trial in Thailand

Dec 28, 2010, 13:15 GMT

Moscow/Bangkok - The Thai judiciary will not launch a trial against Russian pianist-composer Mikhail Pletnev on charges of child abuse, the Moscow orchestra he leads announced on Tuesday.

'There no longer is any suspicion,' the Russian National Orchestra was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

Given time differences, it was no immediately possible to get any comment from Thai officials.

The 53-year-old has also not been blacklisted and his Thai visa remains valid, the orchestra reported.

The Thai prosecuting authority had appeared confident about being able to try Pletnev as recently as early December. It was not immediately clear why the proceedings would not be opened.

The Russian musician had been arrested in July at the beach resort of Pattaya 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 his orchestra.

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

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