The number of suspects arrested in the infamous Lebanese TikToker assault case, suspected of raping children and exploiting them to implicate them in drug use and drug promotion, has risen to 10 people, according to Lebanese media.

Local media reported that the 10th suspect is the owner of digital currency exchange shops, nicknamed “Sergio.”

Attorney General Judge Tanios Saghbini issued a search warrant and a summons against someone who was initially involved merely as a witness in the case.

Lebanese Minister of Communications said that the ministry will ban TikTok if a judicial decision is reached.

Investigations remain ongoing by the authorities as more people of different nationalities are said to be involved.

- What is the TikToker assault case? -

The case had taken Lebanese social media by a storm, following the arrest of seven who were found use TikTok to sexually assault children and force them to take narcotic substances.

It was revealed that there is an organized gang luring minors, some of whom are TikTok celebrities, to a barbershop and chalets, only to find themselves victims of rape, sexual assault, and under anesthesia.

The Cybercrimes Office in Lebanon was able to track down some of the gang members, and six people were arrested out of around 30 individuals, three of whom are TikTok influencers followed by tens of thousands.

Additionally, one of the influencers owns a barber shop and would film his victims, children and teenagers, while shaving, and post the videos on TikTok in a sarcastic way, to attract more young people to his shop.

Lebanese authorities issued a statement confirming the existence of information regarding minors being subjected to sexual assault and photography by gang members, in addition to being forced to take drugs inside several hotels.

These crimes constitute a blatant violation of the rights of minors and human trafficking crimes.

Authorities are currently conducting investigations to apprehend every member of the gang, and they are also looking into their international connections. Some of those who have been arrested have confessed to the existence of gang members in a country in the Gulf region.