The Turkish authorities dismantled an illegal egg trafficking ring with connections in the occupied territories, Albania and Georgia, carrying out simultaneous operations in 14 provinces of Turkey, during which 36 people were arrested.
As announced by the Turkish Minister of Justice, Akin Gürlek, the investigation revealed that 41 women allegedly sold their eggs a total of 811 times for money, travelling abroad.
According to the Turkish Minister, the 53 suspects include the alleged leader of the ring, five of its executives, 41 women, two gynaecologists and four people who organized the movements.
The investigation was launched following a complaint to the Citizens' Communication System with the Turkish Presidency (CİMER), while banking transactions, telephone communications and travel details abroad were examined.
The Turkish newspaper Turkiye reports that women were traveling from Turkey to the occupied territories, Albania and Georgia to sell eggs.
So far, no information has been made public about specific clinics or doctors in the occupied territories that may be involved in the case, nor has it been clarified how many of the reported sales took place there.
Turkish authorities are continuing their investigations to identify the remaining suspects.
CNA
