A pedophile ring is alleged to have masqueraded as a children's choir fan club.
Multiple men suspected of pedophilia allegedly targeted a French children's choir. The charges by the public prosecutor are severe, with two men from Lower Saxony at the center of the investigation. One of them is already on trial in another case.
The public prosecutor's office in Hannover is investigating a suspected pedophile ring that allegedly posed as a fan club of a French children's choir. Among the suspects are a 65-year-old from Seelze near Hannover and a 63-year-old from the district of Hildesheim. Both were active as choir directors or gave private music lessons. A spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office in Hannover confirmed media reports.
Nineteen suspected members of the fan club of the "Tempo Kids" had arranged to meet at a music event in France. The men, aged between 36 and 75, are accused of acquiring, possessing, and distributing child and youth pornographic material. Among the suspects are 17 Germans and two Americans.
According to the "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung", the homes of the suspects, hotel rooms, and cars were searched at the end of April. French authorities were also involved as the raid took place in France, the spokesperson said.
65-year-old accused of abusing 13-year-old
The investigation into the suspected pedophile ring began during a search of the 65-year-old's home in connection with another case. The former choir director from Seelze is currently on trial at the Regional Court of Hannover for sexual abuse of a child. According to the "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung", the retiree is alleged to have sexually abused a 13-year-old from the Leipzig area between 2021 and early 2024.
Sexual abuse is also suspected of the 63-year-old. His arrest warrant was lifted under certain conditions, the spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office in Hannover said. So far, the other suspects from the German fan club of the French boys' choir are only being investigated for the possession and distribution of representations of sexual child abuse. Investigators are currently evaluating 10,000 items, including mainly data carriers. It is not yet known when charges can be brought.
The 65-year-old accused is currently on trial for sexually abusing a 13-year-old, while the 63-year-old, also under investigation, has had his arrest warrant lifted under certain conditions. The children involved in these cases are a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance and protection in such situations.
