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17 May 2006
BRUSSELS — A presenter with the children’s television network Ketnet has been suspended after being accused of downloading child pornography to his computer.
The 28-year-old Tom Gernaey was questioned by police after his house and workplace was raided by Belgian authorities on Tuesday morning.
Gernaey works with the Flemish public broadcasting corporation VRT.
US authorities alerted Belgian police to his alleged use of paid child pornography websites.
The tip-off from US police followed an American investigation into the spread of child pornography via the internet.
Belgian police responded swiftly and arrested Gernaey on Tuesday. He was later released, but investigations continue.
Gernaey is alleged to have downloaded illegal pornography over many years.
He has reportedly confessed to downloading child pornography from the internet since 1997, but has denied sharing it with others.
As a presenter on VRT’s children’s channel Ketnet, Gernaey regularly comes into contact with young children.
VRT has suspended him until judicial inquiries have been completed.
[Copyright Expatica News 2006]
Subject: Belgian news