Russia opens probe into allegations of Kosovo organ traffickin

By The Associated Press February 19, 2013

MOSCOW – Russia says it has opened its own probe into allegations of illegal donor organ trafficking in Kosovo.

The European Union is also conducting a probe into the allegation that senior commanders of the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army including Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci were involved in illegal organ trade during Kosovo’s war for independence from Serbia. Thaci denies the allegation. Russia has staunchly opposed Kosovo’s independence.

An EU prosecutor in Kosovo has indicted a Turkish and an Israeli national in June for involvement in an international ring that duped people including Russian citizens into donating kidneys that were transplanted into wealthy

The Russian foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday that Russian authorities believe that “the crimes of illegal organ trafficking” in Kosovo need to “be thoroughly investigated.”