Forty nine Poles arrested for possessing, distributing child pornography

Forty nine people, including teachers and clergy, were arrested, computers and thousands of CDs and DVDs containing child pornography seized in early morning raids across Poland, officials said Tuesday.

Police searched more than 50 homes, offices and Internet cafes Monday morning, taking possession of 92 computers and about 3,000 discs containing child pornography, said Zbigniew Urbanski, a national police spokesman.

"Among those arrested were teachers, a karate teacher, a board member of a major bank and members of the clergy," Urbanski said. He could not provide further details on those arrested.

Sixteen of those arrested have confessed to possessing child pornography, which carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Suspects also face up to eight years for distributing child pornography if convicted, Urbanski said.

Polish police acted on a tip from authorities in Wiesbaden, Germany.