Broadmeadows father on child porn charges
Simon Craig
05May08
AN unemployed father from Broadmeadows has been arrested for allegedly possessing hundreds of thousands of images of child sexual abuse, including of toddlers.
Mohammad Ali Salih, 45, was arrested at his home on Wednesday last week following an earlier tip-off from the Australian Federal Police as part of a global investigation linked to a German web site.
He appeared before the Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court later in the day wearing jeans and a jacket.
Mr Salih, estranged from his family, has been charged with one count of possessing child pornography and one count of making (recording) child pornography.
Sen-Constable Ivan Petrunic told the court police uncovered 435,384 electronic images and 1192 movie files of sexually explicit material involving minors following a raid on Mr Salih's house.
Some images involved children under five. Sen-Constable Petrunic said Mr Salih, alleged to have collected the images over five years, told arresting officers he was unaware it was illegal to posses child porn.
When asked by Magistrate John Doherty if he understood the nature of the charges, Mr Salih replied: "I'm sorry."
Mr Salih was released on bail on a range of conditions, including that he report to police daily and avoid contact with children unless an adult was present. He has also been banned from being within 50m of a school or children's playground.
Mr Salih is due to reappear before the Broadmeadows Magistrates' Court on June 4.
* Police have appealed for anyone who knows Mr Salih, or has information that could assist them with their investigation, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
