Armenian authorities say they have launched a criminal investigation into "numerous" cases of foreigners illegally adopting Armenian children.
"Two citizens of Armenia have used their contacts at one of the local maternity hospitals and at several agencies and orphanages to organize the adoption of more than 30 babies by citizens of Italy with gross violations of Armenian laws," the National Security Service (NSS) said in a statement on November 14.
The statement said the illegal adoptions took place from 2016 to 2018, but it did not provide any information about the current status of the babies.
During that period a total of 54 children were officially adopted in Armenia by foreigners and were taken abroad.
Most of the cases involved citizens of Italy and the United States.
The scarcity of information released by the Armenian government agencies has fueled speculation that the case could involve the sale of organs.
"There is no word about any sale of organs at this time. If there is any additional information in this regard it will be reported," Security Council Secretary Armen Grigorian said.
Armenian Health Minister Arsen Torosian also reacted to the NSS's statement, saying that "any medical institution or health care provider that has been or will continue to be involved in such illegal schemes must be held accountable by the full force of the law."
Armenia Investigating 'Numerous' Cases Of Illegal Adoptions
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
At Least 50,000 Russian Military Deaths, Likely Thousands More, Recorded In Ukraine War
2'The Best' For Putin: How The Kremlin Stands To Gain From Iran's Attack On Israel
3Israel Vows Victory, Retaliation In 'Fashion And Timing' Of Its Choosing
4Iran's Unprecedented But Choreographed Attack On Israel Underlines Tehran's Limits
5Explainer: The 'Kamikaze' Drones Iran Used To Attack Israel
6Ukraine's Three-Front War: Advancing Russians, Depleted Artillery, Exhausted Troops
7Exclusive: How A Balkan Crime Gang Sprang A Russian Businessman From Italian House Arrest
8Turkmen Workers Executing 'Orders From Above' As Killing Of Dogs, Cats Continues
9Situation In East Has 'Deteriorated,' Ukrainian Commander Says, As Dry Conditions Aid Russia
10Key Iranian Commanders Are Being Assassinated Abroad. How Will That Affect Tehran's Proxy Network?
Subscribe
