A group of individuals engaged in trafficking human organs and tissues has been uncovered in Tashkent, the press service of the Interior Ministry said.
A 37-year-old man, previously convicted of hooliganism, conspired with his wife to distribute video footages on social media, including videos of children allegedly in need of organ donations.
Footage released by the Ministry shows a Telegram group called In Need of a Kidney Doner (sic) with over 100 members. The messages from various people claim to be in need of money and willing to sell an organ.
The suspect, who himself had undergone a kidney transplant, reportedly transported clients to the Istiklol Clinic in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, for operations.
Law enforcement agencies have identified individuals who assisted him, including the administrator of the social media channels.
A criminal case has been opened under Purchase and sale of human organs and/or tissue, committed repeatedly or by a dangerous recidivist, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons charge– punishable by imprisonment for 5 to 10 years. The suspects have been arrested.
