Four men are being investigated for child pornography. The investigations began in January and concerned four cases of online child abuse involving the possession of illegal images. On Tuesday, law enforcement officers announced the seizure of over 17,000 photographs and videos of children involved in pornographic scenes.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCCOCS), a number of searches were carried out in Chisinau and Criuleni and more than 30 devices containing illegal images were seized as a result. The devices include desktop and portable computers, mobile phones, a tablet PC, USB, HDD and SSD drives.

The men are aged between 40 and 60 and provide services in the field of telecommunications, informatics, filming at events and installation of heating systems.

Contacted by IPN for details, PCCOCS spokesman Emil Gaitur said that the four men are being investigated at large.

Under the Criminal Code, child pornography, including possession of images, is punishable by one to three years’ imprisonment.