The national cybercrime unit NC3 today carried out a large operation against people in Denmark allegedly involved in the sexual abuse of children from the Philippines.
The action took place in six different police districts across the country and came after Danish police had received information from abroad about the possible sexual abuse of children.
According to the information received, a number of suspects in Denmark allegedly ordered and paid for the live streaming of child sexual abuse in the Philippines.
“The online sexual abuse of children is a heinous crime that has unfortunately been growing in recent years,” NC3 spokesperson Flemming Kjærside told Jyllands-Posten. “The operation was successful, but it is still too early to say anything about the results of the searches.”
Ordered and paid for online rape
Kjærside said that some computer equipment had been seized and was being analysed.
“They cannot hide at home behind a screen and think they can avoid being held accountable for the abuse that they are responsible for,” he said.
READ MORE: Danes tied to large international child porn ring
There has to date been one Dane sentenced to three and a half years in prison for having paid for and directed the online sexual abuse of children in the Philippines.
Most will probably be released
The 43-year-old man who was convicted last December had used the internet to order the rape and other abuse of children as young as 12. The man came into contact with the children via women he met on a Filipino dating site. He then convinced the women to film the assaults on children.
Eight of those arrested today will most likely be released because police do not believe they have enough evidence for prosecution. It is not clear how many of the remaining detainees might be held over for hearings.
