Evidence in Medicus case thrown out

2 February 2011 | 09:45 | Source: Tanjug

PRIŠTINA -- An EULEX judge in the proceedings against the Medicus clinic decided to throw out some of the evidence presented during the opening debate. The clinic in Priština is illegal organ transplants allegedly took place. EULEX spokesperson Irina Gudeljević told Tanjug that the judge ruled the evidence was seized in an illegal search without a warrant. EULEX prosecutors will lodge an appeal, she said and noted that a group of three judges will rule on the appeal. “Once they rule, the judge will make a final decision on whether or not to uphold the charges in this case,” Gudeljević said. Last year, EULEX brought two separate charges against Medicus. Several doctors and a former high-level Kosovo Health Ministry official are among the indictees, while the donors and recipients were of different nationalities. The case was launched by Kosovo and UNMIK police in November 2008. Last month Turkish authorities arrested, and later released surgeon Yusuf Sonmez, who is charged with involvement in organ trafficking in Kosovo. The surgeon, who worked for Medicus, denied all charges when investigated by an Istanbul judge.