Thai child rights group denies case dropped against Russian pianist

Jan 4, 2011, 12:13 GMT

Bangkok - 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.

Pletnev's 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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