Syrian authorities have arrested several members of organ trafficking rings operating between Egypt and Syria, according to a report published by the Syrian newspaper al-Watan.
The report published Monday said the security apparatus has arrested eight members of one ring in the Syrian city of Aleppo. The group sold organs to a hospital in Cairo.
The paper urged Egyptian authorities to put an end to this crime that largely affects the poor.
The paper said the hospital where illegal operations affiliated with the trade took place recorded people trying to sell their kidneys.
Investigations reveal typical organ trafficking operation provides the donor with US$6000, the facilitator with US$600, and the recipient with US$11,000.
Meanwhile, Abdel Hamid Abaza, a Minister of Health adviser, said the law organizing organ transplant will go into effect mid-December after the cabinet of ministers approves its executive rules.
In a statement to Al-Masry Al-Youm, Abaza said that the penalty for organ trafficking could include 25 years imprisonment under the new law.
Hospitals will be subject to regular scrutiny, Abaza went on, and any hospitals operating in defiance will face closure.
There are only 15 hospitals capable of receiving organ donations and carrying out organ transplants for free, he added.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
