German police free child, make arrests in raids on paedophile ring

German police reported a breakthrough against a suspected paedophile network, making several arrests and freeing a child they feared was in immediate danger, prosecutors said on Friday, reported dpa.

Officers found a 12-year-old boy in circumstances "that justify the suspicion of sexual abuse" during a search of a suspect's apartment. The suspect was arrested.

Officers had carried out other searches and arrests in recent weeks, the statement said. In total, arrest warrants were issued against seven suspects in five German states.

The men in custody, aged between 41 and 53, are being investigated on suspicion of the organized distribution of child pornographic content.

They allegedly made photos and videos of the sexual abuse of children accessible and actively shared them on child pornography platforms in the dark web as administrators and moderators. Several suspects are said to have made partial confessions.

Officers also shut down a platform which "under the guise of musical talent promotion, served to establish contact between paedophiles and minors," the statement said.

Officers secured approximately 620 pieces of evidence, including prohibited sex dolls which resemble children.