31 homes searched on suspicion of child pornography
It was the second operation within two days in Upper Bavaria: police officers searched 31 homes in and around Munich on Wednesday on suspicion of child pornography material. 31 men and young people were suspected of possessing and in some cases distributing images of sexual abuse of minors, the police announced on Friday. The suspects ranged in age from 17 to 65. Around 50 officers were deployed during the operation. They seized cell phones and electronic storage media.
On Tuesday, investigators had already searched eleven properties in northern Upper Bavaria on suspicion of child pornography. According to the police, images of abuse were found on data carriers. Several of the suspects had admitted to the crimes. In two cases, suspects were in the process of downloading further files when the investigators showed up.
According to initial investigations, there is no connection between the cases. The information about the suspects had come from internet providers, who are obliged to report the distribution of such files to the US organization "National Center For Missing and Exploited Children". This in turn informed German investigators.
In light of these findings, authorities in Upper Bavaria might consider intensifying efforts to combat child pornography in the region. Regrettably, Upper Bavaria has seen an escalation of such crimes, with both recent operations targeting homes in Upper Bavaria and its surrounding areas, involving a total of 42 suspects.
Source: www.dpa.com
