A Norwegian man will stand trial next week for sexual abuse and rape involving more than 30 children. The Hordaland District Court will hear the case starting Monday.
The defendant used Omegle video chat service to contact his victims. Prosecutors say he engaged children under 14 in sexual acts. He allegedly directed two eight-year-olds to perform sexual acts with each other.
Authorities describe the rapes as particularly severe given the victims' young ages. The man reportedly performed sexual acts on himself while watching children through video chats.
He also attempted to arrange physical meetings with several children. Court documents state he pretended to be a teenager during these interactions.
Norwegian police have been investigating the case for months. The defendant faces multiple charges of aggravated sexual abuse of minors.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about online predators targeting children through anonymous chat platforms. Law enforcement agencies across Scandinavia have warned about the dangers of unmonitored video chat services.
Hordaland County in western Norway has seen increased focus on child protection cases in recent years. Local authorities have stepped up monitoring of online platforms popular with young users.
The trial is expected to last several weeks given the number of victims involved. Court officials anticipate extensive testimony from both victims and digital forensics experts.