Published on 09/11/2024 20:24
Reading time: 1min – video: 2min
Social networks: the excesses of “pedophile hunters”
Social networks: the excesses of “pedophile hunters”
(France 2)
Several arrests have brought to light a group of so-called anti-pedophile vigilantes. The individuals are suspected of having trapped, then kidnapped and assaulted several dozen people via social networks.
They call themselves the Anti-Pedophile League and call themselves “vigilantes”. Their mission is to punish, through violence, pedophiles who seek their targets on social networks. They beat up several men they have trapped and film the scene which is broadcast on the Telegram application. Three men have just been arrested in Doubs, Allier and Isère for criminal conspiracy, suspected of being the hosts of a Telegram channel where we see several people being assaulted.
In a group followed by more than 4,000 people, violence is sometimes filmed and broadcast live. On their channel there are announcements to recruit new followers and launch new punitive expeditions. They trap suspected pedophiles with fake photos. Self-proclaimed vigilantes who are completely outside the law, themselves perpetrators of crimes. Investigations are continuing to identify other attackers and their victims.
Watch the full report in the video above
