University of Manitoba professor charged in historic sexual assault investigation

A University of Manitoba professor has been charged in connection with a historic sexual assault investigation.

Oleg Pokhanovski, 55, was arrested after he turned himself in at Winnipeg Police Service headquarters on July 29 according to a Winnipeg police news release. He has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation and was detained in custody.

None of the charges against Pokhanovski have been proven in court.

Winnipeg police said they started the investigation in February after being notified by a police agency in Canada.

Police allege between Dec. 17, 2007 and March 11, 2010, Pokhanovski started providing private music lessons to a 15-year-old girl at the university. It is alleged he started grooming the victim during the lessons and sexual assaults occurred off-campus.

Police allege when the girl ended the relationship, Pokhanovski repeatedly emailed her in an attempt to reinitiate contact. The victim was originally from Winnipeg and has since moved.

Pokhanovski’s faculty page on the University of Manitoba’s website describes him as “an accomplished virtuosic violinist, pianist, arranger, and music educator.”

The university has confirmed he has been placed on leave.

“The university is aware of the charges. We take this matter very seriously and are cooperating fully with the Winnipeg Police Service,” the university said in a statement.