Traffickers who left three Moldovans without a kidney stand trial

Two traffickers in human beings charged in 2003 were brought to justice. They are accused of recruiting three Moldovans for organ donation in August 2001 – February 2002, profiting from their difficult financial situation, Info-Prim Neo reports. According to a communiqué from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the suspects accompanied the victims to the hospital for examination and then organized their journey to Turkey’s Istanbul. At the destination, they were met by an Israeli citizen who transported them to a private clinic, where they were operated. On return, the Moldovans received by US$4 000, US$6 000 and, respectively, US$ 10 000. The investigation of the citizen of Israel goes on. The criminal case against three accomplices was sent to the Edinet district court, which in June 2010 decided to fine two of them and acquit the third. The Prosecutor General’s Office appealed the decision to the Balti Court of Appeals, which is reexamining the case. The criminal case against another two traffickers of organs was sent to court last November, but judgment has not been passed yet. Seven persons involved in this criminal network have been indicted so far. Eleven Moldovans remained without a kidney after they were recruited by members of the group.