Wanted Russian pedophile Stanislav Molodyakov, who was deported from Cambodia last week, has been arrested in Moscow, according to Russian news media reports.
In a video posted June 22 on the website of Russian TV channel Rossiya 24, a handcuffed Molodyakov is seen arriving at an airport in Moscow, where he is hurried through the terminal by Russian police officers and flanked by members of the media.
Molodyakov, also known as Alexander Trofimov, is then whisked into a car outside the airport before arriving at what appears be a police station.
Though put on a plane leaving Cambodia on June 21, it had been unclear whether Molodyakov had returned to Russia – where he is wanted for the violent rape of three young girls.
Cambodian police said last week that the notorious child abuser would be deported from Cambodia rather than extradited, flying to Moscow via South Korea unaccompanied by police.
Seung Gyoo-Park, a consul at the South Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh, said in an email that the embassy had been informed that Molodyakov would pass through Seoul en route to Russia.
“I have heard that the convicted pedophile Alexander Trofimov flew to Incheon International Airport and just transited to Russia by Aero[f]lot,” Mr. Seung wrote.
“As far I know, he h[eld] Russian travel document[s] and [a] one-way ticket to Russia.”
On an order from the Interior Ministry calling for his expulsion from Cambodia, Molodyakov was arrested on June 4 in Kandal province’s Ponhea Leu district. His re-arrest came less than six months after Molodyakov received a royal pardon and was released from Preah Sihanouk provincial prison, where he served just four years in prison for abusing 15 underage Cambodian girls in the coastal town.
Following his early release, 14 rights groups signed a petition urging Cambodia to honor a 2008 extradition request for Molodyakov from Russia, where he is wanted by a court in the city of Mytischi for the violent rape of two 11-year-old girls and a 10-year-old girl in 2004.
Patrick Stayton, Cambodia’s field office director for anti-trafficking NGO International Justice Mission, said he was heartened to know that Molodyakov had arrived in Russia to face justice there.
“I would have been greatly disappointed had he not made it to Russia,” Mr. Stayton said, “[Interpol] did an excellent job in this situation.”
Samleang Seila, country director for anti-pedophile NGO Action Pour Les Enfants, said Molodyakov’s arrival in Russia has brought some closure for his many Cambodian victims.
“Of course, we are satisfied with the end of this lengthy, tragic case, but only because he did arrive in Russia and got arrested and faces charges there,” Mr. Seila said in an email.
“[W]e need to make the government aware that prevention of abuse by traveling sex offenders is mandatory in any situation,” he added.
