Organ smuggling

Police arrest Israeli organ smuggling ‘mastermind’ in Cyprus after 10-year global manhunt

Moshe Harel is suspected of organising dozens of illegal kidney transplants at the Medicus clinic in Kosovo’s capital Pristina in 2008, and is the man being held, according to local media.

“The suspect whose initials are MH was arrested a few days ago in Cyprus following an international arrest warrant” from Pristina, Kosovan police spokesman Baki Kelani said Saturday.

Harel has been hunted by the authorities for almost a decade for exploiting victims, often recruited from poor areas in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, by promising 15,000 euros (US$18,000) for their organs.

Recipients, mainly Israelis, would pay up to 100,000 euros for the transplant.

The organ trafficking network came to light in 2008 after a Turkish man collapsed at Pristina airport after having a kidney removed.

Organ smuggling

FIA arrests culprit involved in smuggling children's body organs to India

Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested former section officer Umar Shahab who was involved in smuggling body organs of children to India. FIA has initiated investigation regarding the case after obtaining the remand of the culprit, reported Dunya News.

FIA sources stated that the culprit was being investigated about the whereabouts of other members of the gang involved in smuggling body organs whereas he was also being interrogated about the possible link between the gang and recent hike in cases of child abduction.

Shahab used to smuggle vital body organs of children, including their kidneys and liver, to India. He has also served in Pakistani embassy in Kuwait.

FIA presented Shahab in the court and obtained his physical remand.