Australia arrests four men over alleged ‘international satanic’ child abuse ring in Sydney

Australian police say they’ve uncovered a disturbing online child abuse network with “ritualistic or satanic themes,” charging four Sydney men after a months-long investigation that spanned several countries.

New South Wales police carried out six raids across the city last week, arresting men aged 26, 39, 42 and 46. All four were refused bail and now face more than 20 charges tied to possessing and distributing child abuse material, as well as bestiality. Some were also hit with drug and reporting-violation charges.

Strike Force Constantine, the specialist unit behind the investigation, says the group operated through an internationally run website, circulating videos involving “ritualistic or satanic themes”. Police released footage of officers in tactical gear smashing through an apartment door before taking one suspect into custody.

The youngest of the men, 26, is alleged to be the “key player” in the ring.

Authorities say they are still investigating where the videos were produced and have yet to identify any of the children involved. Thousands of videos depicting abuse of children aged 12 and under, including infants, have been seized.

“Due to the nature of the material that they were sharing and the conversations that we became aware of, we were concerned about any children that these people might come in contact with,” said Superintendent Jayne Doherty, head of the sex crimes squad.

She added: “Police will allege in court that this international group were engaging in conversations and the sharing of material which depicted child abuse and the torture of children involving symbols and rituals linked to Satanism and the occult.”

Investigators do not believe the men filmed any of the material themselves. International partners are now working with Australian police to identify victims and track the origin of the footage.

All four suspects are due back in court in late January.