They planned the rapes of their wives online; Europol has made 57 arrests in various countries

Law enforcement agencies from seven countries, led by the German and British authorities and with the support of Europol, have arrested 57 people from various European countries on charges of setting up an online network of men who planned drug-facilitated rapes of their wives and partners. The ‘Medusa’ investigation led to the identification of 156 people, including victims and perpetrators, as part of an operation carried out from 22 to 24 June this year and targeting drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA).

The operation focused on crimes committed mainly within intimate partner relationships, particularly within misogynistic online communities, Europol explains in a statement. International cooperation between investigators has led to the identification of 274 new lines of inquiry. Four new misogynistic online communities have also been identified. The operation forms part of Project Medusa, launched in April, which is a collaborative initiative aimed at dismantling online networks that facilitate drug-facilitated sexual offences, whilst strengthening cross-border strategies for investigating and prosecuting such offences. Investigations carried out in participating countries into cases linked to Project Medusa have led to 57 arrests and enabled 158 victims to be rescued. In total, 113 investigations have also been launched since the project began.