Czech court acquits girls' choirmaster on sex charges

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Tuesday August 29, 2006

Prague- A Czech court Tuesday acquitted an acclaimed choirmaster and orchestra conductor on charges that he molested two girls who sang in his Bambini di Praga choir. Bohumil Kulinsky still faces 47 additional charges in a 2-year-old criminal case that has rocked Prague's music community.

But Tuesday's decision by a Hradec Kralove court cleared Kulinsky of the most serious charges stemming from claims filed by dozens of alleged victims.

Kulinsky, 47, admitted having sex with some performers in the world-famous choir he led from 1976 until his 2004 arrest, but insisted none were minors. Most singers were girls between ages 12 and 20.

Prosecutors who lined up testimony from alleged victims now plan to focus on the case's second phase in a Prague court. The abuse allegations date as far back as 1984.

Kulinsky, the son of famous Prague choir directors, claims the case was trumped up by his jealous ex-wife and her psychologist- husband.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur