Pianist denies Thai rape charge
Source: Agencies |
July 20, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
ACCLAIMED Russian pianist Mikhail Pletnev made a brief appearance in a Thai court yesterday to plead not guilty to raping a boy and said the fact he had returned to the country showed he was a man of honor.
Pletnev was arrested in the resort town of Pattaya on July 5 for allegedly raping a 14-year-old Thai boy.
He was released on bail and permitted to leave Thailand on condition that he report back on Sunday, July 18, with police saying he was not a flight risk.
In a statement in English yesterday, Pletnev thanked the court for letting him take part in a concert in Macedonia.
"As publicized in the news media throughout the world, some people in authority and others expressed their views that I would never return to Thailand. I hope everybody now accepts that I am a man of honor and that I am a man of my word," he said.
The court has not set a trial date. Pletnev said he would return for the next bail hearing in 12 days and would assist the police investigation in every way.
"I say again these allegations are not true. I also state, contrary to media reports, that during the police search of my home nothing connected with the allegations - no photographs or other visual material - was found in the computer," he said.
Pattaya, a popular tourist destination 150 kilometers from Bangkok, has been known for its nightlife and sex trade since the Vietnam War, partly due to its proximity to an American air force base at the time. These days there is a big Russian presence.
Pletnev, 53, an award-winning pianist and conductor of the Russian National Orchestra, would face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
He is a member of the Russian president's advisory board on culture and holds the title of "People's Artist", the highest state award.
Pletnev was arrested in the resort town of Pattaya on July 5 for allegedly raping a 14-year-old Thai boy.
He was released on bail and permitted to leave Thailand on condition that he report back on Sunday, July 18, with police saying he was not a flight risk.
In a statement in English yesterday, Pletnev thanked the court for letting him take part in a concert in Macedonia.
"As publicized in the news media throughout the world, some people in authority and others expressed their views that I would never return to Thailand. I hope everybody now accepts that I am a man of honor and that I am a man of my word," he said.
The court has not set a trial date. Pletnev said he would return for the next bail hearing in 12 days and would assist the police investigation in every way.
"I say again these allegations are not true. I also state, contrary to media reports, that during the police search of my home nothing connected with the allegations - no photographs or other visual material - was found in the computer," he said.
Pattaya, a popular tourist destination 150 kilometers from Bangkok, has been known for its nightlife and sex trade since the Vietnam War, partly due to its proximity to an American air force base at the time. These days there is a big Russian presence.
Pletnev, 53, an award-winning pianist and conductor of the Russian National Orchestra, would face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
He is a member of the Russian president's advisory board on culture and holds the title of "People's Artist", the highest state award.
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