A priest, a football coach and a man affected by AIDS are among the 11
people arrested in northern Italy for involvement in a pedophile ring,
police said Thursday. AFP
The detainees, who are all in house arrest in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, north, were part of a prostitution ring that used social media to bring together children, mostly teenagers, with potential customers.
The investigation began six months ago after complaints to the police by the mother of a young man of 16 who received suspicious messages on his mobile.
Among the customers of the network he was discovered a 56-year-old AIDS patient, who had been arrested a few weeks ago for wanting to have unprotected sex and the coach of a youth soccer team.
The diocese of Bergamo, who collaborated with the police, announced that the priest in question, Diego Rota, 45, pastor of a village in the region, was suspended from his duties.
"Serious accusations against Don Rota generated amazement, dismay and deep sadness, both the bishop as our entire community," said Father Giulio Dellavite, secretary general of the diocese.
The detainees, who are all in house arrest in Lombardy and Emilia Romagna, north, were part of a prostitution ring that used social media to bring together children, mostly teenagers, with potential customers.
The investigation began six months ago after complaints to the police by the mother of a young man of 16 who received suspicious messages on his mobile.
Among the customers of the network he was discovered a 56-year-old AIDS patient, who had been arrested a few weeks ago for wanting to have unprotected sex and the coach of a youth soccer team.
The diocese of Bergamo, who collaborated with the police, announced that the priest in question, Diego Rota, 45, pastor of a village in the region, was suspended from his duties.
"Serious accusations against Don Rota generated amazement, dismay and deep sadness, both the bishop as our entire community," said Father Giulio Dellavite, secretary general of the diocese.