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Spain holds 121 over child porn Spain holds 121 over child porn
(10 minutes later)
Spanish police have arrested 121 people in what they described as the country's largest ever operation against internet child pornography.Spanish police have arrested 121 people in what they described as the country's largest ever operation against internet child pornography.
Millions of photographs and video files were seized in a series of nationwide raids, which uncovered a network spanning 75 countries. Millions of graphic images of young people were seized in a series of nationwide raids, which uncovered a network spanning 75 countries.
Police said at least two of those held had produced their own pornography. Police say two of those held were using their own children to make pornography.
A further 96 people have been charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.A further 96 people have been charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.
It is not clear when the operation began.
Foreign assistanceForeign assistance
Spanish police said they had been able to identify a number of victims. The arrests, made over the past seven days, were part of a long-term operation which began in July last year with the help of Brazilian police.
About 800 officers were involved in conducting 210 searches that "seized millions of archives of videos and photographs some of which show extremely harsh abuse of minors", police said. Those detained include bank clerks, porters and airline pilots, and some are foreigners resident in Spain.
About 800 officers were involved in conducting 210 searches in 42 different provinces that "seized millions of archives of videos and photographs some of which show extremely harsh abuse of minors", police said.
In addition, 347 hard drives, 1,186 CDs and DVDs and 36 laptops were seized.In addition, 347 hard drives, 1,186 CDs and DVDs and 36 laptops were seized.
Brazilian police are understood to have helped with the operation. The Spanish authorities say their investigation has uncovered a wider international paedophile network involving 18,000 IP addresses across the world.
Police say those leads will now be followed up through Interpol.
These raids bring to 1,200 the number of people arrested for child pornography in Spain over the past five years.