German prosecutors say a group of men used Telegram to distribute rape videos and exchange advice on drugging victims. According to reporting from multiple outlets, the investigation covers an online predator network that prosecutors say operated for years on the messaging platform. Authorities describe the group as forming communities on Telegram, where members allegedly coordinated or facilitated sexual violence by sharing content and related “tips” about incapacitating victims.
The cases reached court in Berlin and Germany’s financial capital, with prosecutors stating that three alleged members associated with the group’s inner circle have been convicted. A fourth man is currently on trial in Berlin, as described by ABC News and The Independent. NDTV adds that Frankfurt’s chief prosecutor Dominik Mies characterizes the alleged offenders’ conduct as involving particular ruthlessness, objectification of victims, and planning of crimes.
Across the sources, the central elements are the alleged use of Telegram, the sharing of rape videos, the alleged provision of drugging guidance, and the progression from convictions to an ongoing trial.
