Man charged of cyberbullying Amanda Todd sentenced in Dutch court
Posted March 16, 2017 6:28 am.
Last Updated March 16, 2017 6:33 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (NEWS 1130) – The man accused of cyberbullying a teen from Port Coquitlam until she committed suicide five years ago has been convicted in the Netherlands in a case involving dozens of young women and gay men.
The mother of Amanda Todd, who has been a strong voice against cyber abuse since her daughter’s death in October of 2012, feels this sends a strong message to would-be predators.
This morning Aydin Coban was sentenced to nearly 11 years behind bars.
The court’s ruling involves the cyberbullying of many young people in different countries. The 38-year-old posed as a boy or girl and persuaded his victims to perform sexual acts in front of a webcam, posting images online or threatened to do so.
Todd says it has been a long journey and she’s only sorry her daughter’s death prevented her from seeing this result. “She isn’t here to listen [and] to see everything that can go on. And that’s sort of a bittersweet moment because I feel that if she was alive that she would also feel that justice was served.”
She says today’s conviction helps as she continues her life without young daughter. “Hearing that he has been given a guilty charge and the sentencing of 10 years and 243 days, is one that brings a lot of satisfaction and relief.”
Coban’s convictions include fraud and blackmail via the Internet, according to a statement from the Dutch legal authorities. It gave him the maximum possible sentence, calling his behaviour “astonishing.”
In Canada, he faces a separate trial in the cyberbullying of Amanda Todd. The Supreme Court of the Netherlands will rule on April 4th on whether Coban will be extradited to face charges specifically in the Todd case here at home.
The teen took her own life and her death drew worldwide attention to the subject of online abuse.