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Exploited trust: The apparently helping hand (symbol image)
Photo: DPA
As of May 31, the famous children's and fashion photographer Achim Lippoth will have to defend himself against allegations of sexual abuse of children before the Cologne Regional Court, reports "Zeit Magazin".
The photographer has been in custody for more than nine months.
The public prosecutor's office in Cologne listed 17 acts in their indictment.
She accuses Lippoth of twelve cases of serious sexual abuse and four cases of sexual abuse, one of which involves possession of child pornography.
When asked by the magazine, Lippoth's lawyer said the photographer did not want to comment on the allegations.
In July 2021, the legal advisor referred to the preliminary investigation, which was not yet completed at the time, and wrote: "The allegation is denied by our client."
According to the indictment, the crimes reportedly range from 1999 to June 2021. A total of six children are said to be affected who were between seven and 13 years old at the alleged time of the crime.
All are said to have worked for him in the past as child models.
Pictures also for an anti-abuse campaign
The 54-year-old is one of the most renowned children's photographers today.
Lippoth photographed advertising campaigns for several large companies, as well as for the media, including SPIEGEL and Zeit Magazin, which is now revealing the allegations.
His pictures won five lions at the world's most important advertising festival in Cannes, and the children's fashion magazine "Kid's Wear" he founded received several industry awards.
Often he seemed to reflect on the roles of children and parents.
His website is adorned with an article for the »New York Magazine« on the education of boys in times of MeToo.
In the light of the allegations, a special shadow falls on an engagement: Lippoth also photographed a campaign against sexual abuse for the non-governmental organization Innocence in Danger.
The slogan at the time: "Sexually abused children are betrayed by someone they trust."
The magazine quoted from the indictment that over time Lippoth had "taken on the role of an adult friend and to some extent also a father role" to the children.
Lippoth is said to have become friends with his parents.
"In the course of these friendly contacts or family-like associations" he took advantage of the situation.
The investigation goes beyond the indictment.
Accordingly, there could be more alleged victims than appear in the indictment.
Many were never questioned by the investigating authorities.
In addition, there have already been three reports against Achim Lippoth over the past 25 years.
The police only began extensive investigations when the fourth report was filed in June 2021, writes “Zeit Magazin”.
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