Four Israelis were taken into custody following a raid by Romanian police on the Sabyc Fertility Clinic including Drs. Harry and Yair Miron, Prof. Nathan Levitt and Dr. Genya Zisskind.

Dr. H. Miron (father) and Dr. Yair Miron (son) are reportedly the owners of the clinic, and they are being remanded for 29 days. Prof. Levitt is ordered not to leave Romania but is not in custody, as if the case with biologist Dr. Zisskind. Some 30 employees were also detained or arrested in the raid.

According to family members of the four, who are all considered experts in the field of fertility, there is no wrong-doing taking place, explaining they simply are working to assist women who wish to bring children into the world.

Romanian authorities however paint an entirely different picture, stating the clinic takes advantage of poor local women who give their ova for a fee, in many cases to raise money, receiving $270-$335. Romanian officials explain this is an illegal act. The clinic’s fee for an average fertility treatment is 4,000€ (NIS 25,000) but some Israeli women quoted anonymously in Yediot Achronot explain that when one wishes to bring a child into the world, while it is expensive, the Romanian clinic offers hope.

Israeli consular officials are monitoring the case and according to Foreign Ministry officials, they are in contact with police involved in the investigation.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)