19-12-2011, 03:23 AM
112 People Arrested Across Europe in Crackdown on Child Porn
The Intel Hub
December 18, 2011
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (BNO NEWS) More than 110 people have been arrested across 22 European countries on suspicion of possessing child pornography, the European Police Office (EUROPOL) announced on Friday. More arrests are expected.
Officials said an investigation into a file-[COLOR=#FF0033 !important]sharing[/COLOR] program identified 269 suspects who allegedly possessed and shared child pornography. A total of 189 house searches have been conducted as of Friday, resulting in 112 arrests across 22 European countries.
Europol said the operation targeted those who shared the most extreme forms of video material, which includes babies and toddlers being sexually abused and raped.
"This is the latest major success in over 10 years of Europol supporting law enforcement agencies in Europe in their fight against child sex abuse online," said Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol.
The arrests were made in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Croatia, Norway, and Switzerland.
In Denmark alone, police said it arrested 19 men aged 24 to 55 and seized 59 computers and 2,430 external media such as hard drives, USB sticks, DVDs and other material.
"From just one of the accused Danes we seized a quantity of 29 terabytes of data," said Danish National Police Commissioner Jens Henrik Højbjerg. "It's a tall order to handle for our investigators it can potentially be 9,000 hours of [COLOR=#FF0033 !important]high quality[/COLOR] video."
But Højbjerg said its investigators are using automated software which compares the seized material against a police database of previously known child pornography. This allows investigators to concentrate on new images and movies, which may uncover new victims.
The operation, called Operation Icarus', is the first operation to be concluded under the auspices of the new action plan of the COSPOL Internet Related Child Abuse Material Project (CIRCAMP), an initiative by EU police chiefs led by Belgium and funded by the European Commission. Denmark was chosen to lead the operation.
According to investigators, the latest arrests have already uncovered previously unknown networks of pedophiles. "This operation shows how the internet is helping offenders to develop better techniques forsharing images on a global basis and for protecting their identity," Wainwright said.
"The problems involved are becoming harder to police and call for sustained efforts by policy-makers and law enforcement agencies to ensure that society's response remains strong and agile in this area."
Investigations are ongoing and Europol said it expects more arrests in the near future, with a special focus on identifying those who produce child pornography, the suspects and their victims. Among those arrested during Operation Icarus' is at least one person who is suspected of [COLOR=#FF0033 !important]grooming[/COLOR] and meeting a young child.
"These children are victims of multiple crimes," said Cecilia Malmström, European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs. "First, when the actual abuse takes place. Then, when it is filmed. And, thereafter, every time the images are posted, circulated or viewed."
In March, Europol announced 184 people had been arrested in what is believed to have been the world's largest online pedophile network. The investigation centered on the Netherlands-based website boylover.net, which attracted more than 70,000 members at its height.
The website operated as a discussion-only forum where people could share their desire about sexual contact with young boys, without committing any specific offence.
However, some members of the website would eventually move to private channels such as e-mail to exchange illegal images and videos of children being abused.
http://theintelhub.com/2011/12/18/112-pe...hild-porn/
The Intel Hub
December 18, 2011
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (BNO NEWS) More than 110 people have been arrested across 22 European countries on suspicion of possessing child pornography, the European Police Office (EUROPOL) announced on Friday. More arrests are expected.
Officials said an investigation into a file-[COLOR=#FF0033 !important]sharing[/COLOR] program identified 269 suspects who allegedly possessed and shared child pornography. A total of 189 house searches have been conducted as of Friday, resulting in 112 arrests across 22 European countries.
Europol said the operation targeted those who shared the most extreme forms of video material, which includes babies and toddlers being sexually abused and raped.
"This is the latest major success in over 10 years of Europol supporting law enforcement agencies in Europe in their fight against child sex abuse online," said Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol.
The arrests were made in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Croatia, Norway, and Switzerland.
In Denmark alone, police said it arrested 19 men aged 24 to 55 and seized 59 computers and 2,430 external media such as hard drives, USB sticks, DVDs and other material.
"From just one of the accused Danes we seized a quantity of 29 terabytes of data," said Danish National Police Commissioner Jens Henrik Højbjerg. "It's a tall order to handle for our investigators it can potentially be 9,000 hours of [COLOR=#FF0033 !important]high quality[/COLOR] video."
But Højbjerg said its investigators are using automated software which compares the seized material against a police database of previously known child pornography. This allows investigators to concentrate on new images and movies, which may uncover new victims.
The operation, called Operation Icarus', is the first operation to be concluded under the auspices of the new action plan of the COSPOL Internet Related Child Abuse Material Project (CIRCAMP), an initiative by EU police chiefs led by Belgium and funded by the European Commission. Denmark was chosen to lead the operation.
According to investigators, the latest arrests have already uncovered previously unknown networks of pedophiles. "This operation shows how the internet is helping offenders to develop better techniques forsharing images on a global basis and for protecting their identity," Wainwright said.
"The problems involved are becoming harder to police and call for sustained efforts by policy-makers and law enforcement agencies to ensure that society's response remains strong and agile in this area."
Investigations are ongoing and Europol said it expects more arrests in the near future, with a special focus on identifying those who produce child pornography, the suspects and their victims. Among those arrested during Operation Icarus' is at least one person who is suspected of [COLOR=#FF0033 !important]grooming[/COLOR] and meeting a young child.
"These children are victims of multiple crimes," said Cecilia Malmström, European Union Commissioner for Home Affairs. "First, when the actual abuse takes place. Then, when it is filmed. And, thereafter, every time the images are posted, circulated or viewed."
In March, Europol announced 184 people had been arrested in what is believed to have been the world's largest online pedophile network. The investigation centered on the Netherlands-based website boylover.net, which attracted more than 70,000 members at its height.
The website operated as a discussion-only forum where people could share their desire about sexual contact with young boys, without committing any specific offence.
However, some members of the website would eventually move to private channels such as e-mail to exchange illegal images and videos of children being abused.
http://theintelhub.com/2011/12/18/112-pe...hild-porn/
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