TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian security and intelligence forces have identified and disbanded a network which was trafficking human organs, the intelligence ministry announced in a statement.
The intelligence ministry said that it has arrested 7 members of the network in a joint operation with the Judiciary.

Based on the confessions made by the arrested traffickers, the network forged ID cards and documents and fooled the related officials to reach their ominous illegal goals, the ministry said.

The statement did not reveal any further details about the network's operation or identity of its members.

Trafficking organs is a crime that occurs in three broad categories. Firstly, there are cases where traffickers force or deceive the victims into giving up an organ. Secondly, there are cases where victims formally or informally agree to sell an organ and are cheated because they are not paid for the organ or are paid less than the promised price. Thirdly, vulnerable persons are treated for an ailment, which may or may not exist and thereupon organs are removed without the victim's knowledge. The vulnerable categories of persons include migrants, especially migrant workers, homeless persons, illiterate persons, etc. It is known that trafficking for organ trade could occur with persons of any age. Organs which are commonly traded are kidneys, liver and the like; any organ which can be removed and used, could be the subject of such illegal trade.

Trafficking in organ trade is an organized crime, involving a host of offenders. The recruiter who identifies the vulnerable person, the transporter, the staff of the hospital/clinic and other medical centers, the medical professionals, the middlemen and contractors, the buyers, the banks where organs are stored are all involved in the racket.

By Fars News Agency

 

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