Searches in Timișoara, at the homes of members of the Cîrpaci clan. A man was allegedly forced to donate a kidney
On Thursday, the homes of members of the Cîrpaci clan from Timișoara and the county were searched, in a particularly serious file opened at the request of the German authorities. Gradu Cîrpaci and Ileana Cîrpaci allegedly held a Romanian in slavery in Germany and forced him to donate a kidney.
Gradu Cîrpaci and Ileana Cîrpaci are currently nowhere to be found. PHOTO: archive
According to the German authorities, the two are accused of holding a Romanian in slavery and forcing him to donate a kidney to Gradu Cîrpaci, who was suffering from a kidney disease.
The investigation shows that, during the time they were at their home in Munich, the Cîrpacii would have accommodated the man in an apartment, confiscated his passport and identity document and isolated him from his family in Romania.
The victim was also allegedly forced to work for the two and sign several documents, being threatened that his relatives in the country would be killed if he did not agree to donate a kidney, reports the local media.
The surgical intervention took place in a hospital in Germany, where the man allegedly declared that he was Cîrpaci's nephew. The authorities subsequently discovered suspicions of serious crimes and launched an investigation.
The descents took place on the basis of a warrant issued by the authorities in Munich, who requested the verification of the residences of Gradu Cîrpaci and Ileana Cîrpaci. The investigators searched for documents, sales-purchase contracts, insurance policies, medical records, but also computers, telephones or possible weapons. The policemen checked the homes, annexes and cars of those targeted. The action was carried out by police officers from the Organized Crime Brigade and DIICOT prosecutors.
According to the investigators, Gradu Cîrpaci and Ileana Cîrpaci are currently nowhere to be found and there are suspicions that they are hiding in Germany. The two are being investigated for serious trafficking in human beings for the purpose of organ harvesting, bodily harm, coercion and threats.
