Chernivtsi morgue staff accused of selling tissue taken from the dead

Pathologist’s instruments. Illustrative photo: unn.ua

Law enforcement authorities say they have uncovered an illegal trade in anatomical material from deceased people in the Chernivtsi region. Investigators allege that the scheme was organized by employees of the Chernivtsi Regional Pathology Bureau. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office reported the case on August 28.

Four bureau employees have been notified that they are under suspicion. Investigators say they removed skin, bones, tendons, corneas and other anatomical material from the bodies of deceased people and then transferred it to companies producing biological implants for surgery and dentistry.

According to prosecutors, the bureau did not have a license to provide medical services in the field of transplantation. To conceal the nature of the activity, its cooperation with the companies was allegedly formalized through fictitious agreements on “scientific and medical cooperation,” while the transfer of tissue was recorded as the supply of raw material for the production of bioimplants.

Investigators allege that relatives of the deceased were encouraged to consent to tissue removal in exchange for free embalming, body storage or discounts on other services. At the same time, they were allegedly not told exactly what material would be removed or that it would later be sold. Law enforcement officials also reported cases in which tissue was removed despite relatives refusing consent.

The extracted material was delivered to customers by rail in special containers. Investigators documented the transfer of ten boxes of biological material and the shipment of corneas on a Chernivtsi–Odesa train.

As the UOJ reported, gravestones were previously used to repair steps in a square in Chernivtsi.

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