German arrested for allegedly exploiting youngsters online

HAMBURG: A German-Iranian man has been arrested for allegedly coercing vulnerable youngsters online into carrying out sexual acts and acts of self-harm, with one victim taking their own life, officials said on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old was detained in Hamburg on Tuesday on suspicion of crimes including murder and attempted murder following an extensive investigation, police and prosecutors in the northern German city said.

He is accused of 120 offences, with investigators identifying eight child and adolescent victims.

The man, who was not named, is suspected of having targeted his victims online between 2021 and 2023.

“He is alleged to have emotionally manipulated particularly vulnerable victims on social media in order to exploit the strong bond he had created for criminal purposes,” according to the statement.