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This is an archive article published on July 7, 2010
Grammy winner held in Thailand for paedophilia
A Grammy-winning Russian pianist was arrested on suspicion of paedophilia in Thailands beachside town of Pattaya,the police.
A Grammy-winning Russian pianist was arrested on suspicion of paedophilia in Thailands beachside town of Pattaya,the police said Tuesday.
Mikhail Vasilievich Pletnev,the founder of the Russian National Orchestra,was accused of molesting one boy and appearing in compromising photographs with several others,said police Lt Col Omsin Sukkanka. He could face up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to 40,000 baht US1,200 if found guilty. Thailand has long been known as a haven for sex tourists and pedophiles because of widespread prostitution and lax law enforcement.
Authorities have voiced intentions to crackdown on such offenses,and the Russians arrest is one of the most prominent cases to date.
Omsin said the pianist was taken in on Monday evening following a tip from Traipob Boonmasong,a Thai national who was charged with child molestation for his alleged involvement in a child prostitution ring. Some of the photos showed Pletnev with the boys in compromising positions,said the officer.
Pletnev founded the Russian National Orchestra,the countrys first independent orchestra,after befriending Mikhail Gorbachev at conference in Washington,DC,in 1988,and was its first principal conductor,according to the orchestras website. Today,he is the orchestras artistic director.
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