An operation that Greek police began in February, as part of an EU-wide crackdown on child pornography, led to 28 people being charged with distributing indecent images, many of which were also produced in the country, officers said yesterday.

The recently formed electronic crimes squad of the Attica police wrapped up the operation, code-named “Purity,” on Tuesday after arresting nine Greeks red-handed and bringing charges against another 19. Seven of the suspects have been remanded in custody. The men, aged between 20 and 45, were mostly charged on suspicion of renting space on foreign websites and uploading pornographic images which subscribers could access after paying by credit card.

The suspects were arrested in various parts of Greece, including Attica, Thessaloniki, Myconos and Hania while some of the images are said to have involved children as young as 4, who were either photographed secretly or exploited. The vast majority of the men are university graduates, sources said. Over 40 Greeks have been arrested since January 2004 on child pornography charges.