Dublin: International Network Of Child Abuse Photographers Dismantled By EUROPOL *UPDATED

A man in Ireland is one of 10 professional photographers arrested as part of an EU operation to dismantle a "network of child abuse photographers".

He was arrested and questioned by gardaí in an investigation co-ordinated by European law enforcement agency Europol and which spanned six countries. www.europol.eu
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* www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/new-law-to-clamp-down-on-child-prostitution-30571775.html

As well as the Irish arrest, five people were arrested in the Czech Republic, two in Sweden and one each in France and Spain.

“An international law enforcement action involving six countries, to dismantle a network of child abuse photographers, has resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals and the seizure of an extensive amount of digital evidence,” according to a spokeswoman for Europol.

In a statement, the EU police agency said that during six house searches, a total of 30 terabytes — equivalent to 30,000 gigabytes — of data were seized, along with hundreds of DVDs and 480,000 files.

These will now be analysed by forensic experts with a view to compiling evidence for prosecution.

“Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3), together with Eurojust, supported this international investigation into a network of professional photographers who specialised in producing and distributing child abuse material,” said the spokeswoman.

She said the operation, code-named Atelier, was initiated by the Czech law enforcement authorities and aimed at dismantling a criminal network established by their main targets in the Czech Republic and Sweden.

“The Czech target took advantage of socially and financially disadvantaged children by convincing them to pose for him — close to 70 children became victims,” said the spokeswoman.

“The suspects then distributed these illegal child abuse images off — and online to customers abroad, who are thought to be part of a worldwide network.

“The Swedish suspect co-operated closely with the Czech target to distribute the illegal material in the EU and Canada.”

There is no suggestion that the man arrested in Ireland was involved in the production of imagery.

Gardaí were not in a position yesterday to provide further information about the case or the suspect.

The Europol spokeswoman said that the agency supported the investigation by facilitating the exchange of information and intelligence, producing analytical reports and hosting an operational meeting.

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*A man has been charged with child sex offences in connection with the alleged abduction of three girls.

Vejuhadin Ghorbani, from the Clifton area of Rotherham, is accused of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and child abduction.

The 37-year-old has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Rotherham Magistrates' Court.

Three girls, two aged 11 and one 13-year-old, were reported missing from the Rotherham area at 10.20pm on Saturday.

Their disappearance sparked a major police hunt, with officers from across the South Yorkshire force drafted in to help.

A man was arrested at his home address in the Clifton area shortly after the girls' safe return home.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the matter.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 1220 of 6.9.14 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.