An opposition lawmaker has posed a parliamentary question to the interior, justice and health ministers about recent allegations that an Israeli citizen wanted on an INTERPOL Red Notice on charges of “illegal organ trade and intentional infliction of grave injuries”
has been living in Turkey since 2017.
Last week the Artı Gerçek news website reported the claims that Boris Volfman has managed to establish a life in Turkey, where he now runs a company involved in various sectors, including health tourism, fruit exports and steel trade, despite the notice.
According to Artı Gerçek, Volfman was initially arrested in 2015 in İstanbul after flying in from Bangkok. The Israeli Ministry of Justice requested his extradition, accusing him and six others, including Turkish doctor Yusuf Erçin Sönmez, of establishing an international organ trafficking and illegal transplant network across Kosovo, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka and Turkey. The operation allegedly involved organ transplants carried out through Israel’s Rabin Medical Center.
However, Turkey decided to prosecute Volfman in its own courts, citing jurisdiction over the organ trafficking offenses. A Turkish court released him due to “insufficient evidence” in July 2016.
Following his release, Volfman reportedly relocated to Albania, where he continued his illegal activities.
In 2017 Volfman resurfaced in Turkey, where he has since built a new life. He established Royal Innovative, a company that operates in various sectors, including health tourism, fruit and vegetable trade and iron and steel exports.
Since relocating to Turkey, Volfman has enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle, often vacationing with his family at five-star resorts in popular tourist destinations like Marmaris, Bodrum and Uludağ. Photos and videos shared on his social media accounts show him enjoying ski vacations and other leisure activities, all while remaining under the radar of Turkish law enforcement.
Volfman has presented himself to the media as a successful businessman and a leading figure in Turkish agriculture, highlighting in interviews with Turkish media that Royal Innovative is a leading exporter of iron and steel to Israel and positioning himself as a key player in the export of Turkish walnuts and organic produce.
“Is it true that [Volfman] is residing in Turkey and conducting business activities despite being wanted on an INTERPOL Red Notice? How can your ministry explain that this individual … continues to live in Turkey?” Talat Dinçer, from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), said in the written parliamentary question.
The lawmaker also questioned why Turkey has not responded favorably to Israel’s extradition request for Boris Volfman. He inquired about any intelligence information held by the Interior Ministry regarding Volfman’s activities in Turkey and requested the ministry’s assessment of the judicial process that led to his release.
Dinçer also requested information on security measures implemented in Turkey concerning the organ trafficking allegations and asked if any investigation or inspection has been conducted regarding Royal Innovative.
Volfman’s ability to continue his activities in Turkey with relative impunity for several years highlights potential shortcomings in the country’s legal system and raises concerns about accountability for serious crimes like organ trafficking.
Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) government has long been accused of making Turkey a safe haven for international criminals by granting them citizenship.