8 Arrests in Illegal Reproductive Cell Trafficking Investigation
8 suspects have been arrested in an Istanbul-based investigation into illegal reproductive cell trafficking. Efforts are ongoing to capture 8 more suspects within the scope of the investigation.
A new development has occurred in the investigation targeting a criminal organization that took young women abroad to harvest their eggs and sold these cells to families wanting to undergo IVF treatment.
The police procedures for the 44 suspects detained within the scope of the investigation have been completed.
Of the suspects brought before the criminal judgeship of peace, 8 were arrested and sent to prison, while the other suspects were released. Authorities are searching for 8 fugitives as part of the investigation.
In operations launched by police teams following two separate tip-offs, it was determined that a doctor directed women to IVF centers in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for egg extraction.
Investigations revealed that the organizers paid donors between 60 and 80 euros for the eggs taken from the women, and then sold these cells to IVF centers for approximately 100 euros. It was uncovered that these activities generated a monetary traffic of around 2 million euros.
Research conducted by the teams determined that female donors aged 22-33 traveled a total of 811 times to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Albania, and Georgia.