At least seven people have been charged with participating in an international organ-trafficking network based in Kosovo. The network sold kidneys and other organs from impoverished victims for up to $200,000. The organs were sent as far away as Israel and Canada. Traffickers lured people from slums in Istanbul, Moscow, Moldova and Kazakhstan with promises of up to $20,000 for their organs. Many of these individuals never received a cent, law enforcement officials said. While the ring was first discovered two years ago, the extent of the network and its victims is only now becoming clear. The ringleader, Dr. Lutfi Dervishi, was a highly regarded surgeon and professor at Pristina University Hospital. The clinic where the operations took place was run by his son, Arban. Also charged was Ilir Rrecaj, a senior official in Kosovo's Health Ministry. Those three including two others are accused of crimes including trafficking in humans and body parts, unlawful medical activity, participating in organized crime, and abuse of office. All were released on bail. Warrants were issued for a Turkish doctor and an Israeli financier, and two other doctors, an Israeli and a Turk, were named as co-conspirators.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/world/europe/16kosovo.html?ref=world
Submitted by Emily Collins
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