Man Jailed for Three Years Over Child Abuse Live-Streaming and Massive File Hoard
A 39-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison for severe sexual abuse of minors and distributing child sexual abuse material. The case involved live-streamed instructions to offenders in Asia and the possession of over 15,000 illegal files. His conviction follows a major international operation targeting cybercrime networks.
The man's crimes took place between August 2021 and the summer of 2025. He admitted to paying for live streams and accessing material on a Russian website, making 98 separate payments of €100 each. Authorities seized four million media files from his devices, including at least 15,267 images and videos of child abuse.
During the trial, prosecutors highlighted aggravating factors: the combination of two serious offences, the prolonged duration, the young age of the victims, and the vast quantity of seized material. The defendant, however, showed remorse and confessed fully. His previously clean criminal record and cooperation were considered mitigating circumstances. The investigation formed part of Operation *Lightning*, led by Europol. France, the Netherlands, Austria, and the United States collaborated to dismantle the international cybercrime network behind the distribution of such material.
The court imposed a three-year sentence, one-third of the maximum penalty allowed. The man has stated his intention to seek psychological treatment. The case underscores ongoing efforts by global law enforcement to combat online child exploitation networks.
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