Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Egypt’s Largest Organ Trafficking Network Busted | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Cairo- Egyptian authorities announced on Tuesday the successful arrest of what is considered the largest Egyptian international organ trafficking ring.

The network including both Egyptians and Arabs has pivoted its work on exploiting difficult economic conditions suffered by some patients.

The health ministry revealed that the suspects include professors working in the faculties of medicine in both Cairo and Ain Shams universities and doctors working in Ahmed Maher teaching hospital, the National Institute of Urology and Nephrology as well some privately-owned labs.

According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Health, the Administrative Control Authority and the ministry led the arrest of 45 suspects including university professors, doctors, nurses, medical center owners and brokers involved in illegal organ trafficking.

The statement added that the ring would exploit the poor economic circumstances of Egyptians, who would sell their organs for cheap prices, allowing members of the ring to make fortunes.

Public prosecution has ordered an investigation into the case.

On the other hand, armed forces killed eight radicals and arrested four of their affiliates. Armed forces gave a statement on Tuesday saying that the arrests were made after extensive and relentless raiding of extremist hideouts across north Sinai.

During raids, stocks of explosives and arms were destroyed along with several buildings formerly militarized by a terror ring.

A state of both tension and confusion caused by intense terror attacks continues to spread north of Siani.

Most of the attacks are carried out against the army and police forces, and have escalated since the removal of former President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013.

The House of Representatives passed last month on a presidential order extending the state of emergency in parts of Sinai.