14 DAY TRIAL // An operation codenamed Icarus, coordinated by Europol, resulted in the identification of 269 individuals suspected of being online child predators and the arrest of close to half of them.
A joint action of law enforcement agencies from 26 European countries that targeted child abuse file-sharing networks was a great success, leading to the arrests of 112 individuals from 22 countries.
“This is the latest major success in over 10 years of Europol supporting law enforcement agencies in Europe in their fight against child [explicit] abuse online. This operation shows how the internet is helping offenders to develop better techniques for sharing images on a global basis and for protecting their identity,” said Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol.
All the terminated groups were providing inhumane content that featured even babies and toddlers, the operation mainly targeting those who shared the most extreme forms of video material.
As a result of the raid, tons of computing equipment was seized and taken in for forensic investigation with the purpose of gathering proof against the criminals involved.
Since the operation uncovered some networks that were not known so far, Europol expects that more arrests will be made in the upcoming period.
“The problems involved are becoming harder to police and call for sustained efforts by policy-makers and law enforcement agencies to ensure that society’s response remains strong and agile in this area,” Wainwright added.
“Europol is committed to playing a leading part in this work through its unique capabilities to develop intelligence and digital forensic skills across Europe and through the coordination of major international operations.”
Operation Icarus is only the first of many to come under the new action plan called COSPOL Internet Related Child Abuse Material Project (CIRCAMP), an initiative run by EU police chiefs and funded by the European Commission.
While there still may be hundreds of these networks active worldwide, operations like this one are a major victory in the battle against child predators, which can only make us applaud Europol’s actions.