Cablegate: Update On Baby Trafficking Case in Alexandria

VZCZCXRO1483
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #0092 0190858
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 190858Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4746
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHDC
RUCNFB/FBI WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS CAIRO 000092

DEPT FOR CA/FPP, CA/EX, CA/OCS, DS/CR/OCI
ALSO FOR G/TIP, INL, DRL, PRM, NEA/RA, NEA/ELA, NEA/PPD
DS/IP/NEA

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

POSTS FOR FRAUD PREVENTION UNITS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
SUBJECT: Update on Baby Trafficking Case in Alexandria REFS: (A) CAIRO 2291 (B) CAIRO 1828 and previous

1.(SBU) Summary: Egyptian authorities in Alexandria are quickly progressing with the investigation of the case described in ref (A). In addition, to the American citizen husband, the alleged Egyptian birth mother has been arrested and detained. Arrest warrants have also been issued for a doctor and an individual identified as the facilitator in the case. A Coptic priest is also wanted for questioning. Egyptian State Security Investigative Services (SSIS) is looking at several other cases in Alexandria that may also involve illegal adoption and baby trafficking. End Summary. Some Questions Answered -----------------------

2.(SBU) Through an examination of the available evidence to include cell phone numbers, SSIS determined the identity and location of the alleged Egyptian birth mother in Cairo. Subsequent questioning revealed she had become pregnant out of wedlock and had been urged to keep the child by her work supervisor. The woman worked at a large, well-known cosmetic company in Cairo and her supervisor was the head of the Human Relations Office. Her supervisor allegedly arranged for her to have a Cesarean in a hospital in Alexandria when she was eight months pregnant and paid all subsequent bills. In addition, the detained American admitted to the Egyptian prosecutor that he had frequent contact with a Coptic priest in the period leading up to receiving the premature infant. Fugitives ---------

3. (SBU) In addition to the doctor described in ref (A) who continues to be a fugitive, SSIS has been attempting to locate the above supervisor and the Coptic priest at their respective habitual places of residence. With regards to the latter, the Coptic priest appeared at the U.S. Embassy to apply for a visa the day after a subpoena was issued by the prosecutor. He withdrew his application before he was finger-scanned and interviewed. He appeared at the Canadian Embassy the following day to apply for a visa. The visa was issued, but subsequently cancelled when post informed the FPM at the Canadian Embassy that the Coptic priest is wanted by the Egyptian authorities for questioning. FPU and SSIS Cooperation ------------------------

4.(SBU) SSIS in Alexandria requested a briefing by the Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU) on the baby trafficking network that was uncovered in Cairo and described in ref (B). During a three hour meeting in Alexandria with senior SSIS officers, the FPM presented the profile developed by the FPU with regards to the Cairo cases. In addition, the FPM alerted SSIS of two cases that had been confirmed to involve newborns given by the Coptic Church to couples seeking children. One of the cases concerned an elderly Egyptian couple who had applied for visas with a young boy they claimed as their biological child. The man subsequently admitted to the FPM that they had been given the child by a Coptic priest in Alexandria. CCD checks revealed that the Coptic priest and his wife are U.S. Legal Permanent Residents. Comment -------

5.(SBU) SSIS in Alexandria is actively pursuing all leads in this case in an attempt to fully uncover any other potential baby trafficking networks. The most senior SSIS general in Alexandria is following the investigation and has solicited the cooperation of the FPU. Post will continue to report on this case as information is developed. Scobey

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