German Man Accused of Online Child Abuse and Suicide Incitement Faces Trial in Hamburg
A 21-year-old man accused of abusing children with mental health problems online and allegedly driving one of them to suicide is set to go on trial in Hamburg on Friday, 9 January. Prosecutors say the suspect committed 204 offences against more than 30 children and adolescents across several countries, coercing them into performing sexual acts and self-harm in front of a camera.
Allegations of Severe Online Exploitation
The accused, who was under 21 at the time of some of the alleged offences, will be tried in a juvenile court. Proceedings will be closed to the public to protect the privacy of the victims and because of the defendant’s age during the crimes. Authorities say the victims lived in Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, among other countries.
According to the indictment, the man is accused of using online platforms to manipulate vulnerable minors into degrading acts. He allegedly pressured them to hurt themselves and, in at least one case, encouraged a victim to take their own life. The investigation began after a tip-off from the FBI during its probe into the suicide of a teenager.
Expert: Rise in Young Online Offenders
Cybercriminology expert Thomas-Gabriel Ruediger from Brandenburg’s police academy said the age of the accused reflects a troubling trend. “We are dealing with very young suspects. This is a development that we have been seeing for several years now, at least in Germany, where the proportion of underage suspects is relatively high, particularly in the area of digital sexual offences,” Ruediger told Reuters.
He explained that perpetrators often adopt varied tactics to lure victims. “Children may be offered money or virtual items. The perpetrators may also disguise themselves as fellow players,” he said. Ruediger added that no online space is completely safe: “There is no platform where this risk does not exist. From my experience in recent years, online games have also become a very big issue that needs to be addressed.”
Long Trial Ahead
The Hamburg court has scheduled 82 hearing dates for the case, which is expected to continue until December 2026. Given the number of victims and the complexity of the evidence, prosecutors anticipate a lengthy and detailed process.
The case has renewed calls for tighter international cooperation to combat online child exploitation and for stronger safeguards to protect minors in digital environments.
with inputs from Reuters