Overview
A Singaporean man was sentenced to 22 months’ jail and two strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to possessing more than 1,200 images and videos that depicted child abuse. The case, described by prosecutors as depraved, highlights the persistence of individuals who seek out and hoard child exploitation material via the dark web and private networks.
Details of the Offence
34-year-old Iliya Zaki Aziz admitted to one count of possessing child abuse material, with two related charges taken into account. At the time, he worked as a freelance music composer. The material included a child as young as five and featured a girl in distress. Authorities noted that his offending spanned over about a year and involved sophisticated methods to access and store the material.
How the material was obtained
Court documents described a methodical approach to obtaining sexual content involving minors. Iliya used extensions of the dark web, a virtual private network (VPN), and secure browsers. He paid for access using cryptocurrency and subscribed to online storage services to retain the material. His search terms ranged from “home made,” “teens,” and “school girls” to “jailbait.” He also used Google Translate to widen his searches by translating terms into Thai, Vietnamese, Russian, and Indonesian.
Discovery and police action
On October 7, 2021, the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) executed a raid on his residence after receiving information. Officers confiscated multiple devices and obtained access to several of his online accounts. Investigators found about 1.37 terabytes of material, equivalent to more than 18,000 files, including 1,249 child abuse files. The remaining items included explicit adult pornography and other sexually explicit content.
Legal Proceedings
During sentencing, Deputy Public Prosecutor Hidayat Amir described the material as “high in quantity” and “depraved,” noting the ages of victims as young as five and the visible identification of many faces. The prosecution argued for a harsher penalty due to planning, premeditation, and the use of the dark web and cryptocurrency. They emphasized Iliya’s involvement in Telegram groups that shared such content and the length of the offending period.
Sentencing and rationale
Judge Luke Tan cited the seriousness of the harm to children and the degree of sophistication in Iliya’s methods. He accepted the defence’s portrayal of rehab and reform but concluded that caning was appropriate to reflect the gravity of the offence. Iliya received two strokes of the cane for possessing child abuse material and faced potential additional penalties for related charges, including quantities of voyeuristic imagery and obscene films.
Character and Aftercare
The defence highlighted Iliya’s cooperation with investigators and his efforts to turn his life around after the offence, including seeking counselling and engaging in religious community work. His adviser described a path toward personal reform, including volunteering, studying Islamic topics, and preparing for marriage. The prosecution, however, underscored the ongoing risk associated with access to such material and the need to deter similar behaviour in the future.
Public Impact and Context
This case underscores ongoing global concerns about child exploitation content available online and the role of the dark web in facilitating access. Law enforcement agencies continue to pursue offenders who attempt to shield their activities behind encrypted networks and cryptocurrency payments. The court’s decision mirrors other cases where significant quantities of material and clear intent to access or acquire child exploitation content have led to severe penalties, including custodial sentences and corporal punishment in jurisdictions where applicable.
What This Means Going Forward
For authorities, the case reinforces the importance of monitoring dark web activity, enhancing digital forensics, and prosecuting offenders for the possession and distribution of child abuse material. For the public, it serves as a sober reminder of the real harm behind online sexual exploitation and the necessity of reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
