World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Turkey launches 14-province operation into illegal egg trade
Turkish authorities launched a coordinated operation in 14 provinces over alleged illegal trade in human reproductive cells.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said the investigation began after a tip submitted through Turkey’s public complaints system.
Investigators say the network had links to Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Albania and Georgia.
They say 41 Turkish women sold eggs 811 times after being directed to travel abroad for payment.
The 53 suspects include alleged network leaders and managers, donor women, two doctors and travel organisers.
Thirty-six suspects have been detained, while one is already in prison.
Authorities are still working to find 16 other suspects, including seven believed to be abroad.
Turkish authorities launched simultaneous operations in 14 provinces against an alleged organized trade in reproductive cells.
The investigation found that 41 women sold eggs abroad for financial gain on 811 occasions, according to Justice Minister Akın Gürlek.
Authorities began legal proceedings against 53 suspects, including alleged organizers, donor women, doctors and travel organizers.
Thirty-six suspects were taken into custody, one was found to be in prison, and efforts to locate 16 others are continuing.
The investigation concerns alleged links between Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Albania and Georgia.
- Who
- Turkish authorities are investigating 53 suspects, including alleged organizers, donor women, doctors and travel organizers.
- What
- A coordinated operation targeted an alleged organized trade in reproductive cells.
- When
- 19 October 2026. The operation was described as taking place that day.
- Where
- Istanbul and 13 other Turkish provinces; the alleged trade had links to Northern Cyprus, Albania and Georgia.
- Why
- Authorities say women were directed abroad to sell eggs for financial gain through an alleged organized network.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A complaint submitted through CİMER prompted an investigation by the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Authorities reviewed phone records, financial records, travel information and other evidence, and found that 41 women had sold eggs 811 times.
Authorities carried out simultaneous operations in Istanbul and 13 other provinces and began legal proceedings against 53 suspects.
Thirty-six suspects were taken into custody, one was found to be in prison, and efforts to locate 16 others continued.
- Suspects
- 53
- Provinces
- 14, including Istanbul
- Egg sales
- 811 sales attributed to 41 women
- Suspects taken into custody
- 36
- Suspects sought
- 16, including 7 identified as being abroad
- Alleged links
- Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Albania and Georgia
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What people are saying
We will not allow criminal organizations to make unjust gains from the human body.
No material gain is above human dignity and bodily integrity!