Thailand files charges against Russian sex guru
◗ Anastasia Vashukevich claims to have recordings of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a crony of President Vladimir Putin, discussing interference in the US election
Bangkok, April 11: Police in Thailand have filed new charges against a selfdescribed Russian sex guru and a woman who claims to have evidence of Russian ties to President Donald Trump’s election campaign.
The woman, Anastasia Vashukevich, also known as Nastya Rybka, has attracted widespread attention for claiming to have recordings of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a crony of President Vladimir Putin, discussing interference in the US election. She is being held in an immigration detention centre and has said she fears for her life and pleaded not to be expelled to Russia.
Col. Apichai Krobpetch, a police superintendent in Pattaya, where the two were arrested with eight others for working illegally by holding a sex training course, confirmed Wednesday that additional arrest warrants had been issued for soliciting, with a maximum prison term of 10 years, and conspiracy, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years.
The original charge on which all 10 were held was working without a permit, punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Three of the 10 have already received a suspended jail sentence of six months and been ordered to leave the country. The others will have to appear in court on April 17 to hear the new charges.
The group was arrested on February 25 in a hotel meeting room in Pattaya, a seaside resort city noted for its sex industry and popularity with Russian visitors. The lessons were attended by about 40 Russian tourists.