Doctor in Armenia Assisted Relative in Illegal Sale of Kidney

As a result of extensive investigative and procedural actions conducted by the Investigative Committee of Armenia's Department of Crimes Against Humanity, it has been established and substantiated that A.S., a physician at Armenia Medical Center, assisted her relative G.S. in illegally selling his kidney for a sum ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 USD between November 2022 and May 2023.

Specifically, G.S., intending to sell one of his kidneys, approached his relative, A.S., during multiple phone conversations where the search for a buyer and the conditions for selling the kidney for 40,000 to 60,000 USD were discussed. Upon learning that T.T. required a kidney transplant due to health issues, A.S. passed T.T.'s details to G.S. in an effort to connect them and reach an agreement for the illegal sale of the kidney.

However, upon witnessing T.T.'s deteriorating health condition and realizing that selling the kidney might similarly jeopardize his health, G.S. decided against selling the kidney. Moreover, T.T. was unaware that G.S. intended to demand a certain amount of money in exchange for his kidney.

Consequently, public criminal proceedings have been initiated against physician A.S. under Article 43-183, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (assisting in the illegal circulation of human embryos, fetuses, cells, tissues, organs, or biological materials or fluids).

The criminal proceedings have been forwarded to the supervising prosecutor with an accusatory conclusion.