Leading Bulgarian pathologist charged: prosecutor

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

SOFIA (AFP) — A Bulgarian pathologist has been charged with violating work regulations after illegally removing human tissues and bones from bodies awaiting autopsy, the prosecutor's office in Sofia said Tuesday.

"Stanislav Christov, head of pathology at Sofia's Alexandrovska hospital, has been charged with violating the rules on working with human organs and tissues, notably to make a profit," the prosecutor's spokesman Roussi Alexiev told AFP.

Bones and tendons had been removed before autopsies could be carried out, he added.

The removal of tissues or organs for transplant is authorised under Bulgarian law. In the cases in question however, the pathologist allegedly acted before the autopsy, which are held to determine the cause of a person's death, rather...