Hungarian suspect in international sexual assault network case: incapacitated victims recorded online
Hungarian law enforcement authorities have identified a domestic individual in an international operation that exposed an online network specialising in incapacitating women with mind-altering drugs and rape.
Hungarian suspect in international sexual assault network case: incapacitated victims recorded online
Domestic law enforcement authorities have identified a Hungarian individual in a multi-country investigation that exposed an online network specialising in incapacitating women with psychoactive substances and sexual assault. According to a statement from the National Police Headquarters, the unit dealing with cybercrime within the National Investigation Bureau took part in the "Project Medusa" operation led by Europol.
Hungarian investigators successfully identified a domestic user and initiated proceedings for sexual assault. The suspect's home was searched, where computers and data storage devices were seized – their analysis is still ongoing.
During the international operation, it emerged that members of the criminal network deliberately incapacitated their partners and then sexually abused them. The acts were planned on internet forums, where members encouraged and helped one another. Members of the group organised coordinated attacks, as well as exchanged recordings and photographs of the assaults committed. Many of the victims remained unaware for a long time that they had been victims of a crime, until police contacted them.
The investigation was initiated in the wake of public outrage following the French Pelicot case. In that trial, a husband systematically incapacitated his wife over ten years and then invited men he had met online to come and collectively rape the unconscious woman. The husband took photographs and videos of the events. The Avignon court ultimately sentenced him to twenty years' imprisonment.
Within the framework of "Project Medusa", one hundred and fifty perpetrators and victims have been identified so far, but the actual number of crimes is likely to far exceed this figure.
Source: 444.hu
Source: 444