CHISINAU, Moldova — Moldovan authorities have charged seven people with organ trafficking.
Moldova's prosecutor's office said last week that the seven Moldovans were part of an international network that harvested kidneys from 11 Moldovan citizens.
It said poor Moldovans were persuaded to sell their kidneys for illegal transplants for $4,000 to $10,000 starting from 2001.
People were taken to a clinic in Turkey, where they had a kidney extracted if they were found to be healthy. Prosecutors began investigating in 2003.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.