Málaga police arrest man over child abuse files

Policía Nacional said on Thursday that it had arrested a 43-year-old man in Málaga city. Police suspect him of keeping and sharing child sexual abuse files.

Police say the case began when a worker was asked to fix the man's PC. The worker found illegal files, and the tech firm called police.

A repair leads to a police search

A specialist police team in Málaga took over the case. Its first step was to check the PC.

Police say that check led them to believe the owner had downloaded, kept and shared the files. They also found software used to swap files through peer-to-peer networks. These networks link users so they can send files to each other.

Police then asked a judge to let them search the man's home in Málaga. The judge gave them permission.

14 devices found at the home

Police seized 14 data storage devices in the search. They said the devices held thousands of child sexual abuse files.

Police allege that the owner used his PC to download, keep and share the files. This remains an allegation. No conviction has been reported.

The man was then handed to the court. The reports did not say what the judge did next.

Police said the tech firm's tip was key to the case. It put the PC in the hands of the team that made the first checks. That team then sought the court order for the search.

Sources: Andalucía Información; El Español; Málaga Hoy; Diario Sur.