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Eight suspects were jailed and 36 placed under judicial supervision after a nationwide operation targeting an illegal reproductive cell trade network, Istanbul Anatolia Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said.

Forty-four suspects were detained in raids carried out across 14 provinces on October 19, 2026, out of 53 people identified as part of the criminal group, according to the prosecutor's office.

Search for remaining suspects continues

Efforts to capture eight suspects who remain at large are continuing. The Istanbul Anatolia Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said investigations into offences against bodily inviolability, as with all crime types, will proceed carefully and with determination.

Key takeaways

• Eight suspects were arrested and 36 placed under judicial supervision in the reproductive cell trade case.
• Forty-four suspects were detained in raids across 14 provinces on October 19, 2026, out of 53 identified.
• The network allegedly arranged donor travel to Northern Cyprus, Albania and Georgia for cell collection at affiliated clinics.
• Eight suspects remain at large and police efforts to find them are continuing.