In the case of child molestation in Bergisch Gladbach, alleged perpetrators have apparently traded children for sexual intercourse. There is "very clear evidence," said the Cologne Attorney General Ulrich Bremer SPIEGEL, "that at least two of the men accused have fed their own children each other".
Just over two weeks ago, a 42-year-old family man from Bergisch Gladbach was arrested. The man allegedly abused his child, contacted other people through messenger services and exchanged child pornographic images and videos.
Meanwhile, the investigators have identified five more men from the chats. The accused are from the area around Kleve, Dusseldorf, Wiesbaden, Krefeld and Viersen, they were arrested. Aachen is also a potential crime scene, says Bremer. All six men were said to have possessed child pornography and committed themselves to their own children or stepchildren.
Investigators ensured massive amounts of data
So far, the investigators are aware of nine alleged victims, between one and ten years old. The accused are in custody, "there is a risk of repetition," says Bremer. There were nine searches and ten terabytes of data were secured. The suspects are said to have filmed or photographed the deeds and exchanged the material through chats, sometimes in groups of up to 1,800 members.
Also read the interview with child pornography chief investigator Andreas May: "I came with the idea to do everything right and then that, terrible"
