- Pedophile ring disguised as a children's choir fan club?
The Public Prosecutor's Office in Hannover is investigating a suspected paedophile ring that is believed to have 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 leaders or gave private music lessons. A spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor's Office in Hannover confirmed corresponding media reports.
Nineteen suspected members of the fan club of the "Tempo Kids" had arranged to meet at a music event in France, as a spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor's Office in Hannover said. 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 apartments of the suspects, hotel rooms, and cars were searched at the end of April. The French authorities were also involved as the raid took place in France, the spokesperson said.
The investigation into the suspected paedophile ring began when officers searched the apartment of the 65-year-old in Seelze in connection with another case. The former choir leader from Seelze is currently on trial at the Regional Court in Hannover for sexual abuse of a child. As the "Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung" reports, the pensioner is alleged to have sexually abused a 13-year-old from the Leipzig area between 2021 and early 2024.
Sexual abuse is also suspected against the 63-year-old. A spokesperson for the Public Prosecutor's Office in Hannover said that a warrant for his arrest had been suspended under certain conditions.
So far, the Public Prosecutor's Office is only investigating the other suspects from the German fan club of the French boys' choir for possession and distribution of depictions 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 investigation into the suspected paedophile ring uncovered allegations of sexual abuse against the 63-year-old suspect, who had given private music lessons. The suspected possession and distribution of depictions of sexual child abuse is a serious charge that the other suspects in the German fan club of the French boys' choir are currently facing.
