Four suicides follow Australian child porn swoop!

[News Writer]

Four Australian men have committed suicide after being caught up in an investigation into child Internet pornography that has resulted in more than 200 people being arrested and charged with 2,000 offences, police said on Saturday.

Justice Minister Chris Ellison said 700 Australians were now under investigation in the country's biggest child pornography crackdown and up to 500 people could eventually be arrested. "It's regrettable that four people, the subject of charges, have taken their own lives," Ellison told reporters. "But this investigation is an extremely important one in dealing with criminal activity which deals with the violation of innocent children," Ellison said. "This will not deter, in any way, the investigation."

The four men, one in Western Australia state, two in Victoria state and one in Queensland state, killed themselves after being interviewed by police. Two had been charged with pornography offences.

Police launched Australia's biggest child pornography crackdown on Thursday, raiding 400 premises and arresting hundreds, including police, teachers, clergy and a child-care centre owner. Those arrested in Operation Auxin face charges ranging from sexual abuse, to downloading and distributing pornographic images to child sex tourism. More arrests are expected, say police.

Source: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/0,3...9168866,00.htm