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55 men arrested in France over online pedophile ring
In a large-scale operation, 55 men were arrested in France who were involved in a pedophile network on Telegram. The investigation lasted ten months and led to significant progress in child protection.
55 men arrested in France over online pedophile ring
Fifty-five men from across France were arrested between Monday and Thursday morning in a massive operation to dismantle a pedophile network. This was announced by the French Office for the Protection of Minors (OFMIN). The suspects, aged between 25 and 75, are suspected of exchanging messages via the messaging service Telegram with an “extremely dangerous” sex offender who was jailed in the summer of 2024. His own children had previously been rescued after abuse, Quentin Bevan, head of OFMIN's operational unit, reported on Thursday.
Background to the arrests
“All 55 people exchanged CSAM (child sexual abuse material) images with the dangerous pedophile, which is why we have digital evidence against them,” Bevan explained. The arrests are the result of a 10-month comprehensive investigation.
Procedure of the investigators
Bevan emphasized that this was a significant investigation and infiltration operation into this Telegram group: "We had to track the exchanges, analyze them and identify the people behind these Telegram pseudonyms - especially those who had children, had a criminal record or worked in sensitive jobs that have contact with children."
Profiles of the suspects
The men come from different walks of life: fathers, civil servants, military personnel and medics. In France, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material is punishable by a five-year prison sentence and a fine of 100,000 euros ($112,747).
Reactions and previous incidents
CNN has reached out to Telegram for comment on the arrests. This is not the first high-profile case in which the platform has come into focus in France. In August 2024, Telegram founder Pavel Durov was arrested at Bourget Airport in Paris on an arrest warrant related to Telegram's moderation policies.
Legal situation for Telegram founders
On August 28, 2024, Durov was arrested by French authorities on various charges, including money laundering and disseminating child sexual abuse material. accused. Durov explained in a statement, that he felt an obligation to improve his app's moderation while authorities sought to hold him "personally responsible for other people's illegal use of Telegram."