Non-Jordanian imprisoned for kidney trade

Amman, The judicial body specialized in human trafficking cases ruled Monday to imprison a man of a non-Jordanian nationality for three and a half years for purchasing a kidney from a Jordanian for JD12,000.

The victim, a sales representative who had a financial hardship after he had an accident that laid him off work, decided to sell his kidney in March to pay off his debts, according to case documents.

The victim got connected on social networks with a non-Jordanian, who had renal failure, and offered to sell him his kidney. They agreed to meet in a foreign country, where the convict had offered to pay all travel and residency expenses to the victim, the court revealed.

The seller was paid the sum of JD12,000 after his left kidney was removed in an operation, and was arrested on his return to Jordan after he confessed to selling his kidney because of his financial troubles, it said.

Under article 9 of the Human Trafficking Law, one who commits a human trafficking crime prescribed by the law shall be punished by imprisonment with temporary labor for a period not exceeding 10 years, and a fine no less than JD5,000, and not exceeding JD20,000.

Source: Jordan News Agency – Petra