Interpol's two-year operation has led to the rescue of 50 children from sexual abuse and prosecution of multiple offenders in Thailand, Australia and the United States, Interpol said in a statement on Thursday
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd May, 2019) Interpol's two-year operation has led to the rescue of 50 children from sexual abuse and prosecution of multiple offenders in Thailand, Australia and the United States, Interpol said in a statement on Thursday.The Blackwrist Operation, named after a bracelet worn by one of the offenders, was launched in 2017 after Interpol officers found photos of abuse of 11 boys under 13 years old on a worldwide website.
"A two-year international operation coordinated by Interpol has led to the rescue of 50 children, as well as the arrest and prosecution of child sex offenders in Thailand, Australia and the United States," the statement said.
The statement stressed that the global police community, namely police departments from Australia, Bulgaria, New Zealand, Thailand and the United States, worked in close cooperation that resulted in arrests of nine offenders in three countries, including two main administrators of the website.
One of them, Montri Salangam, was based in Thailand and sentenced to 146 years in prison for child rape, human trafficking, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse materials. Second administrator, Ruecha Tokputza, based in Australia, was sentenced to 40 years and three months in jail on the same charges. His prison term is the longest ever imposed in Australia for child abuse crimes.
Interpol believes that an additional 100 children might have suffered abuse and is currently working to identify those victims, the statement added. Interpol also highlighted that the Blackwrist Operation's results triggered investigations worldwide and more detentions were expected in the near future.
