Israeli police arrest 10 organ traffickersMay 26, 2012 - 11:48 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli police have detained 10 members of an international crime ring suspected of organ trafficking and illegal transplant surgeries, an Israeli law enforcement source told RIA Novosti, the agency said. “The data that we have received indicates that an organ trafficking network that involved Israeli citizens has been operating here [in Israel], the source said on Friday. “The suspects sought out donors who experienced financial difficulties and convinced them to sell their organs without warning of possible consequences and side effects, and without proper post-surgery treatment,” he added. The source said that the names of the arrested suspects had not been made public yet, but Moshe Harel, the kingpin of the trafficking ring, could be among them. Harel has been sought for years by Kosovo authorities for his alleged involvement in organ trafficking and illegal transplant surgeries at the Medicus clinic in the Kosovo capital, Pristina, in 2008. According to investigation, at least 30 illegal kidney removals and transplants were carried out in the the Medicus clinic. The donors were from poor Eastern European and Central Asian countries, including Russia, Moldova and Kazakhstan. They were promised about 15,000 euros ($19,000) to become organ donors. The organs were later re-sold for between 80,000 and 100,000 euros ($100,000-$125,000). The Medicus clinic was raided by police in 2008 after a Turkish man collapsed at Pristina airport waiting for a flight back to Istanbul after having a kidney removed. Clinic owner Lutfi Dervishi, and six others are currently on trial in Pristina on charges of organ trafficking. The case is being investigated by the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), which was set up to assist and support the Kosovo authorities in the police, judiciary and customs areas after the territory declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |