5 found guilty in Kosovo human organ-trafficking case

PanARMENIAN.Net - An EU-led court in Kosovo has found five people guilty in connection with a human organ-trafficking ring, BBC News said.

The five are accused of carrying out dozens of illegal transplants at the Medicus Clinic in the capital, Pristina. Meanwhile two former government officials also charged in the case have been cleared of involvement.

The trade was discovered when a Turkish man collapsed after having one of his kidneys removed at the clinic.

The case was tried by Eulex, the European Union's law and order mission in Kosovo.

Urologist Lutfi Dervishi was sentenced to eight years in prison for organised crime and human trafficking. His son, Arban, was sentenced to seven years and three months, while three other defendants received between one and three years' imprisonment.

Meanwhile Kosovo's former health minister, Ilir Rrecaj, was acquitted on the charge for abusing official position or authority.