Russian pianist faces child-rape charge at resort

Associated Press

PATTAYA, Thailand

Internationally acclaimed Russian pianist and conductor Mikhail Vasillievich Pletnev has been charged with raping a 14-year-old boy at a Thai beach resort, police said Wednesday. Pletnev said the charges were the result of a misunderstanding.

Pletnev, the founder of the Russian National Orchestra, was arrested Monday evening at a restaurant in Pattaya and brought to court Tuesday to face rape charges, said police Lt. Col. Omsin Sukkanka. He was released on $9,000 bail, ordered to report to the court every 12 days and banned from contacting witnesses in the case.

He could face up to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $1,200 if found guilty.

A business associate who gave only his first name, Sompong, said Pletnev was a victim of blackmail but did not elaborate.