Children’s author charged with possession of child pornography

A Greek publisher announced on Wednesday that it had terminated its association with an award-winning author of children’s and young people’s books after it emerged that he had been charged with the possession of over a hundred videos depicting child sexual abuse.

Kastaniotis publishers said ended its association with Vassilis Papatheodorou (55) “as soon as it was informed that a criminal investigation is underway” against the author, who headed its children’s department. 

Earlier, police announced that criminal charges had been filed against an unnamed individual after child pornography was found on two hard drives in his possession, following an investigation prompted by information from foreign agencies.

Media reported that Papatheodorou has been on remand in Tripoli prison since October 18, following his appearance before an investigating magistrate, where he claimed he downloaded the videos for professional reasons as he was writing a book on a related topic.

Police sources say more than 90 videos, some of which depicted children under the age of 12, were found on the hard drives.

Papatheodorou won the Greek state children’s literature prize twice (2008, 2010). Following the relevations against him, the Hellenic Author’s Society said it was withdrawing its nomination for him as a candidate for the 2022 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

According to his website, Papatheodorou regularly visited schools around the country to talk with children about the problems they face.