Romanian Police Extradite 'Finance Minister' to Germany Over Alleged Forced Kidney Donation Scheme

Romanian police have extradited Gradu Cîrpaci, a figure known as the "Finance Minister," to Germany to face charges related to human trafficking and illegal organ transplantation. Cîrpaci was apprehended in Romania based on a European arrest warrant issued by German authorities.

The extradition occurred after the Timișoara Court of Appeal approved the execution of the warrant. Cîrpaci was located at an address in Caransebeș following a joint operation between Romanian and German police. Information exchange between the two countries was facilitated by the International Police Cooperation Center within the Romanian Police.

German investigators allege that while living in Munich with his wife, Cîrpaci exploited a man brought from Romania. The victim was reportedly deprived of his documents and contact with his family. He was allegedly forced to work for the Cîrpaci family and coerced into signing contracts. The victim claims he was threatened with harm to his relatives in Romania if he refused to donate a kidney to Cîrpaci, who was suffering from a kidney condition.

Authorities state the transplant took place in a Freiburg hospital. The victim was promised 15,000 euros and an apartment in Timișoara, but allegedly received neither after the operation. Searches at the Cîrpaci family's residence in March by German police and DIICOT Timișoara prosecutors yielded documents, computer equipment, and phones. Cîrpaci and his wife face charges including human trafficking for organ harvesting, bodily harm, coercion, threats, and fraud.

“

At 27 July 2026, Romanian Police handed over to German authorities a man, internationally wanted by German authorities, based on a European arrest warrant, issued for committing the offenses of human trafficking related to the procurement and illegal transplantation of human organs.