Thirteen men, nine Thais and four U.S. citizens have been arrested for online sexual abuse of children in various parts of Thailand, Thai police said at a news conference on Tuesday.
The arrests were a result of a joint operation between Thai police and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), code-named “Operation Cross Country XI,” in September and October.
Thailand is one of five countries in which the FBI has been assisting local police to identify suspects in online crimes against children, as part of the operation in recent years.
The other countries involved are: Canada, Britain, Cambodia and the Philippines.
“We have chosen these countries because partnerships are already there and there are a lot of cases of child sexual abuses,’’ John Schachnovsky, the FBI’s legal attache in Thailand, said.
One of the 13 men has been deported back to the United States to face charges.
Others have been charged by Thai police with possession of child pornographic materials, sexual abuse against children and human trafficking.
“10 minors, with the youngest being 8 years old, are under government care and are receiving treatment,’’ police said.
For the past two years, Thai police have arrested a total of 57 sexual offenders, among them 25 Thai nationals.
“South-East Asia is still an attractive area for sex offenders.
“The spread of the internet and the anonymity allow for these crimes to perpetuate,’’ Schachnovsky added. (dpa/NAN)
ACO/AMY
Leave a Reply