Striking claim from Russia: 'Organs and body parts are being sold in Ukraine'

In images released with the claim that they were found at a school in the village of Kislovka, where Ukrainian forces were stationed for a time, an organ and price list prepared in English can be seen.

The price list for the organs and body parts included in the list is as follows:

Kidney 15-25 thousand, liver 30 thousand, lung 50 thousand, eyes 6 thousand, heart 200 thousand, legs 10 thousand, hands 2 thousand, bone marrow 20 thousand, ovary 12 thousand, penis 8 thousand, ears 3 thousand, and one liter of blood 150 dollars.

'READY-TO-USE MOBILE LABORATORY FOUND'

According to the report by Erkin Özcan from CGNT Türk; the seized notices also state that there is a permanent medical center operating in Izyum and Borova (Kharkiv region) for organ transplant procedures, as well as a 'mobile laboratory ready to take samples'.

The notices, which include a note that 'all commercial transactions are confidential', also contain the phone number of a liaison officer from the Ukrainian army with the codename 'Mohawk' for those wishing to purchase organs.

There is no additional explanation or official document in the notices regarding where and by what means the organs and body parts offered for sale were obtained.

Previously, an individual claiming to be a former employee of the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG), while hiding their identity in medical attire, stated in a video they released that wounded Ukrainian soldiers were taken to Germany under the pretext of treatment and that their organs were stolen there 'for NATO officers in need'.

Especially after Russia's operation in Ukraine, allegations that illegal activities such as human trafficking and organ trade are being carried out regarding Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have come to the agenda several times.

While the Russian side publishes documents that are mostly stated to have been seized by soldiers in the operation, the Western and Ukrainian sides describe the Russian side's claims as 'disinformation'.

'LEGAL' REGULATIONS IN ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION

The Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) adopted a new law numbered 5831 on December 16, 2021, which 'regulates the transfer of human anatomical material'.

According to this law, the requirement for a living donor or their relatives to obtain a notarized written consent was abolished, and the procedure for removing organs after the death of a person who did not consent to donation while alive was significantly simplified.

The practice of signature verification in organ transplantation was also abolished, and an online consent system was put into effect.

According to the law, provisions regarding the appointment of an authorized representative to consent to donation after a person's death were also removed, and decision-making authority was given only to those who assume responsibility for the funeral, such as a hospital chief physician or a military commander.

LEGAL LOOPHOLES EXIST

The legal loopholes in the legislative changes, which authorize not only state hospitals but also private clinics, also pave the way for children's organs to be removed without the consent of their parents or legal guardians.

Furthermore, the Ukrainian parliament also adopted Law No. 5610 on April 14, 2022, through an amendment to the Tax Code, which exempts organ transplantation from VAT.

These 'conveniences', which have gained legal status through regulations in Ukraine, also have a nature that facilitates illegal transactions in organ transplantation.