Norwegian citizen arrested in Thailand for child abuse material possession

A Norwegian citizen has been arrested in northeast Thailand following a police raid on his residence on September 16. Thai authorities discovered a large quantity of child sexual abuse material on electronic devices, including a mobile phone, a computer, and an external hard drive.

The arrest was the result of international police cooperation and information exchange between Norwegian, Philippine, and Thai authorities. Gjermund Egenæs Hanssen of Kripos confirmed the arrest, noting that the Norwegian National Criminal Investigation Service has been working to identify citizens who pose a risk to vulnerable children abroad.

The suspect has reportedly admitted that the seized hard drive belongs to him. In addition to charges for the possession of child abuse material, Thai authorities are investigating whether the individual was involved in human trafficking.