Russian national Alexander Krylov last week emphatically denied he is a paedophile when he testified in mitigation of sentence before Windhoek High Court Judge Claudia Claasen.
Judge Claasen convicted him and his Namibian counterpart Anna Engelbrecht on charges of rape and trafficking in persons.
Krylov was convicted on 10 counts of rape, 10 counts of trafficking in persons and one count of supplying children under the age of 18 with cigarettes.
She also convicted Namibian Engelbrecht on three counts of rape and three counts of trafficking in persons.
The 62-year-old Krylov admitted he had intercourse with at least five under-aged girls during 2017, but denied that he raped any of them.
The duo faced 42 counts of rape and child trafficking in addition to a charge of supplying minors with cigarettes.
Krylov, who shed tears during his testimony, told the judge he is deeply sorry for his actions.
“I’m trying to find peace in my heart over what I have done, he said and continued: I now realise what I did was wrong; I regret my immoral sexual lifestyle. I am sorry. But I did not do it intentionally; I mean breaking the law,” he said through his sobbing.
He further said he knows the judgment cannot be changed, but that he throws himself at the mercy of the court.
According to him, he is one of only four senior marine pilots in Namibia and his job is not easily filled.
He further said that in his more than 20 years in Namibia, he has generated more than N$100 million for the country, in fees.
Although his children are all grown-up and living in Russia, he has three grandchildren that he would love to see again, he stated.
He further told the court that his wife, who was in court, is dependent on him for her livelihood.
His lawyer Illeni Velikoshi implored the court to have mercy on him.
According to Velikoshi, his client is an old man at 62 and has lived a crime-free life for all those years.
He further said that Krylov has been living in shame, humiliation and embarrassment since his crimes came to light.
Since then, he said, Krylov has redeemed his life and is supporting the Erongo Elderly Citizen’s Association.
To date, he has donated money, goods and food to the value of N$200 000.
He also plans to build a school that caters for children from disadvantaged backgrounds if given the chance.
He asked the court to impose a fine of N$700 000 or 10 years imprisonment on the human trafficking conviction, 10 years for the rape counts and a fine of N$5 000 or 12 months imprisonment on the cigarette conviction.
In Engelbrecht’s case, he asked for a fine of N$5 000 or 12 months on the trafficking counts and 10 years on the rape counts.
He further asked the court to find substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences and that all sentences run concurrently.
Advocate Palmer Khumalo, on behalf of the State, proposed 35 years imprisonment for Krylov and 13 years for Engelbrecht.
Judge Claassen reserved judgment until 17 March.
– rrouth@nepc.com.na