Child Abuse Operations
Dear European Police Office,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information:
Child Abuse Operations
Operation Golf
Operation Grand Canal
Operation Icarus
Operation Naga
Operation Odysseus
Operation Avalanche and all suboperations eg Operation Ore
operation Predator
Operation Rescue
Operation Spade
Operation Starburst
Operation Sunflower
Operation Twins
Operation Artus
Operation Cathedral
Operation Emissary
Operation Falcon
Kind regards,
I am relatively new to this so would appreciate any advice to get the information
Brian Welsh
Dear Mr Welsh,
Thank you for your request.
We are currently assessing whether we are able to identify any documents held by us based on the information you provided, or if there is a need from our side for further specifications, in which case we will contact you.
Kind regards,
G24 - EU & International Law
Dear G24 EU & International Law,
Hello, I do not know the legal timeframe to answer but it has now been a month , could you tell me of an progress?
Yours sincerely,
Brian Welsh
Dear Mr Welsh,
With regard to your request below, Europol has searched and identified documents possibly falling within the scope of your request.
Operation Golf:
No documents
Operation Grand Canal:
No documents
Operation Icarus:
1) EDOC#581420 PRESS RELEASE: Large European operation against persons behind child sexual abuse images in the internet
2) EDOC#582320 Briefing Note: Operation Icarus press conference
3) EDOC#582708 Speaking points Operation Icarus press conference
4) EDOC#601269 Letter from […] to Europol Director
Operation Naga:
No documents
Operation Odysseus:
No documents
Operation Avalanche and sub-operations:
No documents
Operation Ore:
No documents
Operation Predator:
No documents
Operation Rescue:
5) EDOC# 548662 Survey Operation rescue
6) EDOC# 534007 Presentation on Operation Rescue
7) EDOC# 538574 Presentation on Operation Rescue
8) EDOC# 545212 Briefing Note Operation rescue
9) EDOC# 535802 […] letter […] Operation Rescue
10) EDOC# 542632 Reply letter […] Operation rescue
11) EDOC# 514998 Briefing Note Operation rescue
12) EDOC# 534873 Speaking Points-Press conference Operation rescue-16 march 2011
13) EDOC# 536549 Reply Letter to […] re: Operation Rescue
14) EDOC#536586 […] letter Operation Rescue
Operation Spade:
No documents
Operation Starburst:
No documents
Operation Sunflower:
No documents
Operation Twins:
No documents
Operation Artus:
No documents
Operation Cathedral:
No documents
Operation Emissary:
No documents
Operation Falcon:
No documents
General - Child abuse operations:
15) #101872 - Police: Federal police Belgium […]
In accordance with Article 4 of the Management Board Decision laying down the rules concerning access to Europol documents (“the MB Decision”), access to a document or to parts of it shall be refused where disclosure would undermine the protection of the public interest as regards public security, the proper fulfilment of Europol’s tasks and investigations and operational activities of Member States, third parties or EU bodies, and/or, the privacy and integrity of the individual.
Europol has decided to refuse access to documents 2), 4) to 12), 14), and 15) as their disclosure would undermine the protection of the above-mentioned public interests due to the sensitivity, strategic and operational nature of the information contained which would hinder the current and future operational effectiveness of Europol and national law enforcement activities, weakening public security and preventing Europol to properly fulfil its tasks. The disclosure of some of these documents would also jeopardise the privacy and integrity of the individuals.
I am pleased to inform you that access is granted to document 1) herewith enclosed, as the disclosure would not undermine any of the above-mentioned interests.
Also, partial access can be granted to documents 3) and 12) which you find in the attached versions. Redactions have been made to a minor extent (indicated throughout the text with a square bracket and three dots '[…]'), pursuant to Article 4(1)(b) of the MB Decision, with the view of protecting the privacy and integrity of the individuals.
The messages found in Europol data processing systems are collected for operational purposes. Europol has decided not to grant access to these messages as their disclosure would undermine the protection of the above-mentioned public interests and/or, the privacy and integrity of the individuals, due to the sensitivity of the information provided, as well as disclosure of police operations which would undermine the current and future operational effectiveness of Europol and national law enforcement activities, weakening public security and preventing Europol to proper fulfil its tasks.
You will find also attached the following document publically available:
Child sexual exploitation - Fact sheet 2012
You might also find relevant information on the operations at stake by using the search function tool available on Europol official website (www.europol.europa.eu), in particular:
https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/pa...
https://www.europol.europa.eu/search/apa...
https://www.europol.europa.eu/search/apa...
Europol reviews 2010: https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/pu...
Europol reviews 2011: https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/eu...
Europol reviews 2012: https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/eu...
Please be aware that as you have been refused partial or full access, in accordance with Article 7(3) of the MB Decision you have a right to make a confirmatory application within 30 days, asking Europol to reconsider its position.
Kind regards
G24 - EU & International Law