Serbia hands first sentence for Internet-based paedophilia

A Belgrade court has sentenced a man to 12 years in prison, in the first-ever Internet-based paedophile case in Serbia, local media reported Thursday.

Jugoslav Stefanovic, 38, was sentenced for sexual abuse of minors, which he taped and photographed for sale on the web. He confessed to all charges, so the trial lasted just a few days.

The pornographic material he posted a year ago included abuse of children younger than 14 and even babies. Among the victims was the daughter of his next-door neighbour, reports said.

Stefanovic was arrested after Serbian police received a tip from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, which uncovered the link after arresting an American paedophile.

His sentence includes the confiscation of unspecified “items and goods” he acquired with earnings through the sale of child porn. (dpa)