The Cyprus Police - Cybercrime Subdivision, actively participating in the actions of Europol, after training received by its members, in relation to the identification of suspects involved in the possession and dissemination of child pornography material, participated in the international operation to identify suspects in Cyprus.

With coordinated operations during the period October to December, 2023, Cybercrime Subdivision identified two suspect persons in Cyprus, who were in possession of thousands of files containing material of sexual abuse of minors - child pornography.

These cases were investigated and registered before the Permanent Criminal Court, with their trial ongoing.

Based on investigative techniques shared and acquired in an educational seminar supported by Europol, 57 men suspected of possessing and sharing depictions of child sexual abuse were arrested and several children safeguarded from physical or potential abuse. The training and the ensuing action, organised within the EMPACT framework, were held in September 2023, the details of which can only now be released. Denmark hosted law enforcement officers from 27 European countries for a training course on how to investigate child sexual abuse images distributed via file-sharing networks. 

Officers learned how to carry out targeted investigations against perpetrators suspected of abusing their own children or at least possessing and distributing material depicting the sexual abuse of children. During the action, over 100 000 illegal files were seized. As the forensic examination of the seized digital devices is still ongoing, investigators estimate that a final total of more than one million images and videos will be found and confiscated.

The training was held by expert investigators and focused on how various file-sharing networks can be used to search for perpetrators who possess and distribute material depicting the sexual abuse of children. Another aim was to find out whether perpetrators are in possession of text-based material such as paedophile manuals about grooming or the sexual abuse of children.

Suspects from all walks of life

The men arrested in this action for downloading and disseminating child sexual abuse material using peer-to-peer (P2P) networks stem from all walks of life. Aged  between 23 and 72, on average the perpetrators are 49 years old. Four of the suspects are school teachers and one suspect works with disabled children, which renders this successful law enforcement effort even more meaningful.

Europol classifies perpetrators who possess or distribute material depicting the sexual abuse of children, and simultaneously possess manuals about committing sexual abuse, as High Value Targets. They are assumed to be the most likely to physically abuse children. The 57 national investigations into the crimes committed by the arrested persons will also be a starting point for further law enforcement action, with more arrests and seizures to be expected across Europe. Europol facilitated the information exchange between all the countries involved, and further enhanced the operational picture by cross-checking the seized data and providing intelligence packages to continue the investigative work.

Potential and actual victims safeguarded

The overall ultimate strategic goal of operations such as this one is to eliminate the risk of children being sexually abused. Every child counts, and for every child saved this means a world of difference. Some of the arrested suspects had direct access to children via their profession, while ten suspects have children of their own. At least one child was saved from ongoing physical abuse, the other children can be considered as safeguarded from potential abuse.

Law enforcement awareness campaigns

European law enforcement, in collaboration with relevant partners via EMPACT, focuses on combatting the distribution and possession of abuse material on file sharing networks. Through the Police2Peer initiative, files appearing as child abuse material are made available to those seeking it, dispelling the illusion of ‘safety in numbers’ on peer-to-peer networks. These files, though they appear to contain illicit content, are clear warnings or feature police officers from partner countries, emphasising that users sharing abuse material are neither safe nor untraceable. Additionally, Europol's ‘Say No!’ prevention campaign, disseminated in over 30 countries, educates parents, children, and teachers on online risks and provides guidance on reporting and prevention measures.

Participating countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark (project leader), Estonia, Finland, France (action co-leader), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland (action co-leader), Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine