This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7035130.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Interpol abuse plea gets response Interpol abuse plea gets response
(30 minutes later)
Interpol says some 200 people have already responded to its public appeal to help identify a man shown sexually abusing children in internet images.Interpol says some 200 people have already responded to its public appeal to help identify a man shown sexually abusing children in internet images.
It says the messages were received in the 12-hour period after the appeal was launched on Monday.It says the messages were received in the 12-hour period after the appeal was launched on Monday.
The suspect appears in about 200 images with 12 different boys. The photos have been taken in Vietnam and Cambodia. The suspect appears in about 200 images with 12 different boys. The photos were taken in Vietnam and Cambodia.
They had been digitally altered but police computer experts have produced four identifiable images. They were digitally altered but police computer experts produced four identifiable images.
Interpol says the man - whose identity and nationality are still unknown - is a danger to children while he remains at large.Interpol says the man - whose identity and nationality are still unknown - is a danger to children while he remains at large.
Names and sightingsNames and sightings
"We have a lot of response and they are coming from all over the world," Anders Persson, a Swedish policeman in charge of Interpol's child abuse images team, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency."We have a lot of response and they are coming from all over the world," Anders Persson, a Swedish policeman in charge of Interpol's child abuse images team, was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.
He said that some of the public messages had detailed information such as names and addresses, while others were just names or sightings of people met on holiday.He said that some of the public messages had detailed information such as names and addresses, while others were just names or sightings of people met on holiday.
Mr Persson added that Interpol - which has 186 member states - was forwarding the information to the countries concerned for further police checks.Mr Persson added that Interpol - which has 186 member states - was forwarding the information to the countries concerned for further police checks.
He did not say whether any of the public messages had given Interpol any clues as to the possible whereabouts of the suspect.He did not say whether any of the public messages had given Interpol any clues as to the possible whereabouts of the suspect.
Operation VicoOperation Vico
Interpol launched its unprecedented global public appeal on Monday, after trying "all other means to identify" the man.Interpol launched its unprecedented global public appeal on Monday, after trying "all other means to identify" the man.
"We are now convinced that without the public's help this sexual predator could continue to rape and sexually abuse young children whose ages appear to range from six to early teens," Interpol chief Ronald Noble said:"We are now convinced that without the public's help this sexual predator could continue to rape and sexually abuse young children whose ages appear to range from six to early teens," Interpol chief Ronald Noble said:
The first pictures of the man were found three years ago in Germany and the search for the suspect had been codenamed Operation Vico, Interpol said.The first pictures of the man were found three years ago in Germany and the search for the suspect had been codenamed Operation Vico, Interpol said.
The pictures had been manipulated to disguise the man's face with a swirl pattern, but computer specialists at Germany's federal police agency, the BKA, worked with Interpol's human trafficking team to produce identifiable images.The pictures had been manipulated to disguise the man's face with a swirl pattern, but computer specialists at Germany's federal police agency, the BKA, worked with Interpol's human trafficking team to produce identifiable images.
They show a man with slightly receding dark hair, aged 35 to 40 years old.They show a man with slightly receding dark hair, aged 35 to 40 years old.
Interpol maintains a database of 520,000 images of child sex abuse submitted by 36 member states.Interpol maintains a database of 520,000 images of child sex abuse submitted by 36 member states.
Using sophisticated software, investigators have identified and rescued nearly 600 victims from 31 countries.Using sophisticated software, investigators have identified and rescued nearly 600 victims from 31 countries.