Thai police deny paedophile case dropped against Russian pianist

Dec 29, 2010, 5:21 GMT

Bangkok - 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.

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