170 held over indecent images of children
Over 170 people have been arrested in the international operation
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Saturday, 13, Dec 2008 11:02
Over 170 people have been arrested in coordinated operations by US and European Union (EU) authorities against those involved in the production, manufacture and sale of child pornography.
The sting called Operation Joint Hammer began after Australian investigators determined that a video containing naked images of children had been produced in Belgium which was being distributed internationally.
US attorney general Michael Mukasey, standing beside justice officials from the EU, said the probe revealed 30 connections around the world.
He said the operation resulted in the rescue of 11 girls, aged between three and 13, in the US, and the recovery of an undisclosed number of people in eastern European countries such as Ukraine.
Officials said arrests were spawning further investigations in other parts of the globe, adding that charges would be brought against those involved as questioning continues.