Sex training guru Anastasia and Russian compatriots on trial today in Bangkok

Eight defendants in the case arrived at court today, all on trial for ‘soliciting sex’ and other charges but all eyes were on Anastasia as she made her way into court.

During her detention last year she threw police and media into a fact-finding spin after she revealed that she came to Thailand after becoming embroiled in a political scandal with well-connected Russian aluminium businessman Oleg Deripaska, a one-time associate of US President Trump’s disgraced former campaign director Paul Manafort. She promised to ‘dish dirt’ on the US President as part of a plea bargain to get out of jail.

Nothing has been found to substantiate her claims thus far, nor did the stunt have any sway with Thai police.

But back to the sex training course, led by her ‘friend’ Alex Kirillov, a self-styled Russian ‘seduction guru’. Kirillov, spokesperson for the mostly Russian contingent, says they were set up.

AFP reports that he said… “I think somebody ordered our arrest… for money,” arriving at court.

The group pleaded not guilty, saying they were only ‘training people’ on how to seduce men and women and not engaging in sexual activity. It was all about romance and relationship advice, they said.

Both Vashukevich and Kirillov are expressing fears of being deported back to Russia, saying they will face prison, or worse. They have called on assistance from the UN and Washington.

At this stage, both Washington and Moscow have publicly denounced Vashukevich’s story, describing her antics and allegations as “bizarre”.

We look forward to further details as the trial progresses.