site.btaEnforcers Break Criminal Operation Trafficking in Newborns

Sofia, August 8 (BTA) - The State Agency for National Security said on Friday it has disrupted an organized criminal group trafficking in newborn babies. The group has been active in Sofia and other parts of Bulgaria.

The suspects induced pregnant women of low social standing or in vulnerable circumstances to sell their future infants. They also secured the buyers - usually childless couples in Bulgaria or abroad who wanted to adopt children. The couples were inclined to pay for the children in order to avoid complicated adoption formalities and a possible refusal by the competent authorities.

The future mothers, mainly ethnic Bulgarians, were accommodated in a house in Sofia officially functioning as a privately-run kindergarten. There, the women received necessary care and were kept under control until childbirth.

As the newborns were handed over to their buyers, the suspects arranged for the launch of adoption or filiation procedures in order to legalize the acquisition of the infants by their future "parents." The criminal group included a lawyer who took care of the legal formalities.

The case was referred to the Specialized Prosecution Office which handles cases of organized crime. Pretrial proceedings were instituted and charges were brought against the suspects. The Specialized Prosecution Office ordered that the suspects be held in custody for 72 hours.