Cablegate: Illegal Adoptions in Egypt

VZCZCXRO9568
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #0344/01 0531146
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 221143Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0349
INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC
RHMFIUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CAIRO 000344

SIPDIS
POSTS FOR FRAUD PREVENTION UNITS
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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CMGT CASC KOCI ASEC PHUM SMIG KFRD CVIS EG
SUBJECT: ILLEGAL ADOPTIONS IN EGYPT

REF: CAIRO 0092 AND PREVIOUS

1. (SBU) Summary: For the past 16 months, the Fraud Prevention
Unit (FPU) has been investigating cases of illegal adoptions in
Egypt (see ref). Coptic priests, nuns and doctors remain key
players in the illegal adoptions. Cases of illegal adoptions
continue with the most recent announcement by Egyptian prosecutors
on February 16 of the trial of an American couple and six Egyptians
in Alexandria. In 2009, an Egyptian court in Cairo sentenced eleven
individuals, including four Americans and a Coptic nun to two to
five years in prison for baby trafficking. End Summary.

"Rogue" Priests

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2. (SBU) The FPU has confirmed 31 cases where children have been
illegally adopted in Egypt and either taken to the United States or
raised in Egypt. The earliest confirmed case by the FPU is from
1989, although one Coptic priest admitted the practice has been
going on since 1976. This particular priest also provided other
insights during an interview with the Fraud Prevention Manager
(FPM) on February 11, 2010. He stated that the majority of the
priests involved in illegal adoptions are very charismatic, have
numerous followers and are consumed with their position of power as
leaders of the Coptic community. According to this priest, the
"big" personalities of these individuals have prompted them to
engage in activities not condoned by many others in the Coptic
Church. He mentioned that the Church is more than capable of
raising and educating unwanted Coptic children. He added that in
Alexandria, literally hundreds of babies are given to childless
families and only a few have been taken out of Egypt.

Unscrupulous Doctors

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3. (SBU) The cases of illegal adoptions generally involve doctors
falsely attesting to the delivery of the newborn for the alleged
biological parents. The letter from the doctor is used to acquire
a genuine Egyptian birth certificate and sometimes a passport. The
FPU confirmed that in many instances the doctors receive payment in
return for their false statements and/or procurement of newborns.
The FPU linked one doctor to cases as far back as 1995 and as
recent as 2008. The doctor's fees ranged from USD 100 for a newborn
to USD 5000 for personal delivery of a newborn to the United States
(see 09 Cairo 207 and previous). FPU cooperation with Egyptian
State Security Investigative Services (SSIS) led to the arrest of
this doctor in May 2009.

Americans to Stand Trial Again

------------------------------

4. (SBU) On February 16, Egyptian prosecutors charged two Americans
and six Egyptians with forgery, illegal adoption and baby
trafficking. Another American in the United States was also
identified and charged in absentia. Egypt's Prosecutor General
identified the Egyptians as two priests, two doctors, a civil
servant and an engineer. All, but two of these individuals are
currently fugitives. In September of 2009, an Egyptian court
sentenced four Americans and seven Egyptians to two to five years
in prison for baby trafficking and forgery.

Comment

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CAIRO 00000344 002 OF 002

5. (SBU) Most of the illegal adoptions confirmed by the FPU have
involved childless couples desperate for children. However, in
some cases the FPU is unable to trace the whereabouts of the child.
Confirmed cases of unscrupulous doctors raises concern for the
newborns involved in such illegal adoptions. Post is proposing
stronger language for the Country Specific Information for Egypt
warning against attempting to illegally adopt in Egypt.

Scobey
SCOBEY

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