Russian sex guru, follower blame US for continued detention
PATTAYA, Thailand — A Russian sex guru and his followers, one of whom claims to have evidence of Moscow’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, were acquitted Tuesday of violating labour laws in Thailand but still face other charges that could land them in prison for more than 10 years.
Alexander Kirillov and follower Anastasia Vashukevich, a model and escort, told reporters they placed the blame for their continued detention on U.S. officials, to whom they previously appealed for help and political asylum.
Vashukevich’s earlier revelation of an alleged affair with Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch close to President Vladimir Putin, fueled opposition allegations in Russia of official corruption and enraged the Kremlin.
Vashukevich claims to have audio recordings of Deripaska that provide evidence of Russian meddling in the U.S. polls.