The Ministry of Interior has filed criminal charges against six individuals over the organization and execution of an illegal child adoption scheme.
According to the police, the National Unit for Combating Migrant Smuggling and Human Trafficking within the Criminal Investigations Sector filed charges against F.A. (63), G.K. (57), I.Sh. (35), and D.Sh. (35), all from Skopje, as well as S.J. (35) from Kumanovo and I.A. (38) from Tetovo on suspicion of committing the criminal offense of child trafficking.
Authorities state that during 2024 and 2025, F.A. and G.K. allegedly carried out the offense through the illegal adoption of a newborn child.
According to the investigation, F.A. used her position as a foster caregiver to establish contacts with interested couples, while G.K., by prior agreement and with the aim of bypassing the legal adoption procedure, targeted parents facing difficult financial and social circumstances.
Police allege that they misled parents who felt unable to care for their newborn children and persuaded them to arrange illegal adoptions in exchange for financial compensation and other benefits.
According to the statement, they convinced S.J., who lived in a common-law union with I.A., to agree to the illegal adoption of their newborn child in exchange for financial assistance of €500 and free gynecological examinations.
After being discharged from the hospital, S.J. and her baby were allegedly taken in by F.A. and transported to her home, where I.Sh. and D.Sh., acting as prospective adoptive parents, took the child and brought the baby to their residence.
Investigators further state that on October 17, 2025, a loan agreement for €500 was signed between D.Sh. as lender and I.A. as borrower. The same amount was allegedly paid to I.A. as compensation connected to the illegal adoption.
A judge in the preliminary proceedings has ordered house arrest measures for the suspects.