Germany: Nationwide raids target child porn network

By Rabia Iclal Turan

ANKARA (AA) - Authorities in Germany conducted coordinated nationwide raids targeting a network involved in online sharing and distribution of child pornography, local media reported on Wednesday.

At least 1,000 police officers took part in the raids in 12 states on Tuesday, with the southeastern Bavaria region in particular focus.

Michael Esser, head of investigation for the Cologne police, said around 2,000 phones, computers, and other devices were seized in the operations.

Some 48 men and two women suspected of involvement in the child pornography network were targeted in the raids.

The suspects, none of whom were arrested, are not believed to have directly abused the children and are accused of sharing images through social media and messenger services, according to Esser.

The devices seized during the raids are still being analyzed by investigators.

The operation was part of an ongoing probe into a child pornography network that started last October in Bergisch Gladbach, a city in western Germany.

As many as 30,000 suspects could be involved in the pedophile and child pornography network in Germany, according to officials.