Mikhail Pletnev charged with child molestation in Thailand

Author: Tom Parfitt
Date Published: 07/07/2010
Publication: The Guardian (United Kingdom)
Mikhail Pletnev, founder of post-Soviet Russia's first private orchestra, is questioned by a Thai police officer in front of the muscian's Pattaya residence. Photograph: AP
Mikhail Pletnev, founder of post-Soviet Russia's first private orchestra, is questioned by a Thai police officer in front of the muscian's Pattaya residence. Photograph: AP

Russian pianist and conductor denies charge after police raid Thai property over investigation into a paedophilia ring

A celebrated Russian pianist and conductor was charged today in Thailand with molesting a 14-year-old boy after police raided the musician’s home and found incriminating photographs.

Mikhail Pletnev, 53, founder and artistic director of the Russian National Orchestra (RNO), was arrested on Monday at a badminton club in Pattaya, a resort on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand where he owns several properties.

Police searched one of his homes, confiscating material in connection with an investigation into a paedophilia ring. Prosecutors told a court in Pattaya that the search yielded several “compromising” photographs of Pletnev with underage boys.

Pletnev, a Grammy winner who studied at the Moscow Conservatory and founded the RNO as post-Soviet Russia’s first private orchestra in 1990, was released on bail of $9,000 (

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