Latest news with #764
Euronews
6 days ago
- Euronews
German prosecutors widen probe in Hamburg child suicide network case
Hamburg prosecutors have received additional reports from concerned parents following the arrest of a 20-year-old German-Iranian man accused of driving children to suicide through an international online network, officials confirmed. The prosecutor's office said investigations are ongoing into potential additional victims of Shahriar J, who used the online alias "White Tiger" and was arrested in mid-June at his parents' home in Hamburg's affluent Marienthal district. Hamburg Public Prosecutor General Jörg Fröhlich confirmed the suspect, a former medical student, faces 123 charges covering offences allegedly committed between 2021 and 2023, including murder, attempted murder, sexual abuse of children and rape. The arrest followed a tip from the FBI initially regarding child pornography, but police discovered 85,000 files, more than 600 videos, and extensive chat records referencing child torture. The accused is held under strict security at a youth prison on the Hahnöfersand peninsula. Police suspect the defendant may have led the international torture network "764," which is classified as a terrorist organisation in the US. The network allegedly forced children and young people to self-harm and mutilate themselves for sexual purposes, with victims from Germany, the UK, the US and Canada. Prosecutors allege the defendant drove a 13-year-old US citizen to suicide in January 2022 using a Finnish minor as an intermediary. The suspect allegedly manipulated the Finnish girl through "a perverse mix of expressions of love and contempt" after making contact in 2021, forcing her to self-harm and contact boys in the US in 2022. The Finnish minor allegedly met the 13-year-old victim on an online suicide forum in mid-January 2022. Prosecutors claim the defendant joined an Instagram group chat and drove the boy to suicide, sharing the recorded act on an online network for sadistic content. "The offences are beyond human imagination," Fröhlich said. The case presents complex legal challenges since suicide and assisted suicide are not punishable under German law. Prosecutors must prove the defendant committed "murder in indirect perpetration," meaning he committed a crime through another person while being the main perpetrator. Legal experts note the prosecution must demonstrate the victim lacked free will for the case to qualify as murder rather than suicide assistance.
Newsweek
7 days ago
- Newsweek
FBI Warns Parents Across America of Sinister Group Targeting Minors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning parents about an online group under investigation that appears to be targeting minors and manipulating them to carry out sinister acts. The bureau said that members of the group—referred to as "764" for the Texas ZIP code where it reportedly originated—befriend minors online via video games, social media and online forums, then coerce them into self-harm and creating explicit material. The FBI told Newsweek: "The FBI is determined to identify and stop those who target the most vulnerable members of our society, our children." Stock image of a young person on their phone. Stock image of a young person on their phone. Press Association via AP Images Why It Matters According to the FBI, 764 is creating a growing problem both online and in the real world. The group is also said to be targeting children in Canada, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, who put out a statement warning that "Violent online groups are targeting and manipulating vulnerable children and youth across widely accessible online platforms." What To Know The FBI has launched investigations into more than 250 subjects alleged to be involved in 764, and engaged all 55 FBI field officers across the U.S. in these investigations. According to the Justice Department, members of the group and people affiliated with it have coerced young girls into carving symbols into their bodies; used threats and intimidation to force young people into online and in-person sexual acts; and manipulated victims into harming animals. They are also accused of encouraging their victims to engage in suicidal and homicidal threats. Two people believed to be leaders of the group—Leonidas Varagiannis, 21, also known as "War," and Prasan Nepal, 20, also known as "Trippy"—were arrested and charged with operating a global child exploitation enterprise in April. But, several months later, 764 still appears to pose a threat to children. "The FBI leverages our counterterrorism and crimes against children expertise to counter this growing problem. We are providing training on countering 764 to personnel in all of our field offices," the bureau said in a statement to Newsweek. "The FBI has to be agile in recognizing threats that are increasing and applying the appropriate resources. We are working closely with our law enforcement partners both in the United States and overseas on what these criminal actors are doing and how we can identify and hold them legally accountable." The bureau said that when it first became aware of 764, its members "adhered closely to an ideology that espoused a strong racial or ethnic bias—that influenced their desire to bring about the downfall of society." An alleged guide used by 764 leaders for giving prospective members explicit instruction on how to create content for the group, used by the Justice Department as evidence in their case against two alleged 764... An alleged guide used by 764 leaders for giving prospective members explicit instruction on how to create content for the group, used by the Justice Department as evidence in their case against two alleged 764 leaders. More Justice Department But it said the group's goals had now shifted and members "just want to sow chaos and facilitate the destruction of society with no further intent." The FBI said it will investigate cases as terrorism where individuals are engaging in criminal activity to "further their sociopolitical goals." It added: "Not all members participate in 764 or similar networks for ideological reasons. Motivations vary from person to person, from group to group, and some 764 members may be engaging in criminal activity for sexual gratification, social status or a sense of belonging, or for a mix of other reasons that may not be ideologically motivated. "In those cases, we will investigate the crimes as a criminal matter, not as terrorism. For that reason, each case is evaluated individually, on a case-by-case basis." What People Are Saying The FBI said in a statement to Newsweek: "The FBI is growing increasingly concerned about a loose network of violent predators who befriend minors and other vulnerable individuals through popular online platforms and then coerce them into escalating sexual and violent behavior—pushing victims to create graphic content, child sexual abuse material, harm family pets, cut themselves with sharp objects, or attempt suicide. Some of these predators even watch live-streamed self-harm and other violent content." Christopher Raia, assistant director in charge of the FBI New York, said in a statement: "Manipulating the most vulnerable members of society—our children—to produce sexually harmful material to further their depraved goals is unconscionable. The FBI is determined to do whatever necessary to stop the heinous actions of 764 members and hold them accountable in the justice system." Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a press release: "We will find those who exploit and abuse children, prosecute them, and dismantle every part of their operation." What Happens Next The two men arrested in conjunction with 764 activities are awaiting trial and could face life in prison if found guilty. The FBI issued the following advice to parents: "Be aware of your child's online activities, especially to whom he or she may be communicating with and make use of online platforms' parental controls." If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673, or contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) helpline via their website If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to to find a helpline near you. If you or someone you know has been a victim of 764, we would like to hear your story. You can get in touch by emailing
09-07-2025
Greek court rejects extradition request for US national accused of running child exploitation site
THESSALONIKI, Greece -- A court in Greece has rejected an U.S. extradition request for a 21-year-old American man wanted in connection with an online network that is alleged to have targeted children for acts of violence and sexual exploitation. Court officials in the northern city of Thessaloniki said Wednesday that the claim was rejected because the suspect has applied for and is eligible to receive Greek citizenship. He was due to be released from custody this week. A panel of judges upheld the claim "that the extradition of a Greek national is forbidden, acknowledging his Greek citizenship by virtue of being the child of a Greek parent,' the suspect's lawyer Xanthippi Moisidou told The Associated Press. The suspect, who maintains his innocence, was arrested in April, accused by U.S. authorities of being involved in the criminal online group known as 764 that coerced children into committing acts of violence and sexual abuse, which were recorded and distributed online. A second man was arrested in North Carolina days earlier as part of the same investigation. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had described the suspects as being responsible for 'a network built on terror, abuse, and the deliberate targeting of children.'
Toronto Star
09-07-2025
- Toronto Star
Greek court rejects extradition request for US national accused of running child exploitation site
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — A court in Greece has rejected an U.S. extradition request for a 21-year-old American man wanted in connection with an online network that is alleged to have targeted children for acts of violence and sexual exploitation. Court officials in the northern city of Thessaloniki said Wednesday that the claim was rejected because the suspect has applied for and is eligible to receive Greek citizenship. He was due to be released from custody this week. A panel of judges upheld the claim 'that the extradition of a Greek national is forbidden, acknowledging his Greek citizenship by virtue of being the child of a Greek parent,' the suspect's lawyer Xanthippi Moisidou told The Associated Press. The suspect, who maintains his innocence, was arrested in April, accused by U.S. authorities of being involved in the criminal online group known as 764 that coerced children into committing acts of violence and sexual abuse, which were recorded and distributed online.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Greek court rejects extradition request for US national accused of running child exploitation site
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — A court in Greece has rejected an U.S. extradition request for a 21-year-old American man wanted in connection with an online network that is alleged to have targeted children for acts of violence and sexual exploitation. Court officials in the northern city of Thessaloniki said Wednesday that the claim was rejected because the suspect has applied for and is eligible to receive Greek citizenship. He was due to be released from custody this week. A panel of judges upheld the claim 'that the extradition of a Greek national is forbidden, acknowledging his Greek citizenship by virtue of being the child of a Greek parent,' the suspect's lawyer Xanthippi Moisidou told The Associated Press. The suspect, who maintains his innocence, was arrested in April, accused by U.S. authorities of being involved in the criminal online group known as 764 that coerced children into committing acts of violence and sexual abuse, which were recorded and distributed online. A second man was arrested in North Carolina days earlier as part of the same investigation. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had described the suspects as being responsible for 'a network built on terror, abuse, and the deliberate targeting of children.'
