Italian police have arrested 18 people linked to a paedophilia ring that lured children from an immigrant camp and a soccer club for sex at apartments in Rome.
At least 200 children between the ages of 8 and 16 were abused. Police said they had identified 40 of the victims, mostly poor children and orphans who had begged on city streets until they were drawn into the sex trade.
Police rounded up several suspects during an early morning raid today at an immigrant camp on the outskirts of Rome, arresting six Romanians.
"One Romanian woman sold her child to this group for €700," said police officer Dania Manti.
Among the 12 Italians arrested was a Roman soccer coach, who taught children between the ages of seven and ten. Ms Manti said the coach videotaped himself sexually abusing children, including his students.
Among the 40 identified children was a 16-year-old Romanian, who told police he killed one of his adult clients during sex.
Ms Manti said although the operation was based in Rome, the network extended nationwide, with many children being kept in city apartments. There was also a group from Naples that would drive children around the country to paying paedophiles, she said.