22.10.2026 19:21
In the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, suspects detained in an operation in 14 provinces centered in Istanbul targeting a criminal network that directed women to sell reproductive cells abroad for money were referred to the courthouse. Eight of the suspects were arrested, while 36 people were released under judicial control conditions.
The Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Terror and Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau launched an investigation following a tip-off through CİMER that a gang was directing women abroad to sell their eggs for money. In the work carried out by the Istanbul Police Department's Immigration Smuggling and Border Gates Branch Directorate, findings were reached indicating that illegal reproductive cell trade linked to Turkey, the TRNC, Albania, and Georgia was being conducted in an organized manner. As a result of evaluating HTS and MASAK records, overseas travel information, and other evidence, it was determined that the suspects directed Turkish citizen women abroad to sell eggs in exchange for financial benefit.
41 WOMEN SOLD EGGS 811 TIMES According to the allegation, an application was made to CİMER by the spouse of the woman who was the leader of the network, who suspected her situation. The operation was launched after this application. In the examinations, it was determined that a total of 811 egg sales were carried out by 41 women. After the completion of the work, simultaneous operations were held in 14 provinces centered on Istanbul. In the operation, judicial proceedings were initiated against a total of 53 suspects, including 1 organization leader, 5 organization managers, 41 donor women, 2 obstetrics and gynecology specialists, and 4 travel organizers.
8 SUSPECTS BEING SOUGHT It was learned that efforts to capture 8 suspects in the investigation are ongoing. The detained suspects were referred to Anadolu Courthouse. 1 person was released after procedures at the police station due to health problems. While efforts to capture the suspects continue, 1 more person was detained in the investigation. While 8 people were referred to court with a request for arrest on the charge of 'establishing an organization to commit a crime', judicial control was requested for 36 suspects.
8 SUSPECTS ARRESTED Of the suspects brought before the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, 8 were arrested and sent to prison, while 36 people were released under judicial control conditions.
STATEMENT FROM THE CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE In the written statement made by the Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the matter, the following statements were included: "In the work carried out under the coordination of the Terror and Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau of our Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department's Immigration Smuggling Combat and Border Gates Branch Directorate through investigation file numbered 2026/64504, a need has arisen to inform the public regarding the suspects who have been determined to have committed the crimes of Establishing an Organization to Commit a Crime, Being a Member of an Organization Established to Commit a Crime, Organ and Tissue Trading, and Violating Law No. 2238.
SOLD TO THE TRNC, ALBANIA, AND GEORGIA Within the scope of the investigation, in the framework of determinations made in accordance with technical surveillance, MASAK data, cargo information, bank transactions, HTS analyses, airline flight information, and evidence obtained from various institutions, a total of 53 suspects were identified within the scope of a criminal organization consisting of suspects who conducted examinations of donors in order to obtain reproductive cells from donors in Turkey, initiated donors on medication treatment in this regard, coordinated the abroad exits of donors who were made suitable or found suitable for the removal of their reproductive cells in the TRNC, Albania, and Georgia through affiliated clinics, provided financial benefit by making payments to donors from whom reproductive cells were obtained as a result of these transactions, and in this context sold organs and tissues in exchange for financial benefit; in order to capture the suspects, as a result of simultaneous search, seizure, and detention operations carried out on 19/10/2026 in the provinces of Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Adana, Antalya, Tekirdağ, Giresun, Aydın, Edirne, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Şanlıurfa, Karaman, and Muğla, 36 suspects were captured; as a result of the work carried out, with the capture of 8 more suspects, a total of 44 suspects were detained, and numerous digital materials were seized.
As a result of the statements taken on 22/10/2026 by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office from 1 suspect in a penal institution and 43 suspects brought in custody, 1 suspect was released, 8 suspects were referred to the Duty Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest, and 36 suspects, including the suspect who could not be brought due to an advanced illness, were referred with a request for judicial control; as a result of the evaluation made by the Duty Criminal Judgeship of Peace, 8 suspects were arrested and a judicial control decision was issued for 36 suspects.
Efforts to capture the 8 suspects who are at large continue. Investigations conducted by our Istanbul Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, as in all types of crimes, for the purpose of combating Crimes Against Bodily Integrity will continue meticulously and resolutely."