'Served Israel his entire life.' Zamir
Photo: Hagai Aharon
Family of general suspected of organ-trafficking: He tried to help others
Relatives of Brig. Gen. (res.) Meir Zamir say he is innocent, claim police preventing him from meeting with his lawyer. Police official: He got a lot of money for assistance he provided
Relatives of Brig. Gen. (res.) Meir Zamir, one of six main suspects who were recently arrested for their alleged involvement in a ring engaged in trafficking human organs and defrauding organ donors, claim that he was not allowed to meet with his attorney apart from during a hearing on the extension of his remand.
"A man who has served this country his entire life should be granted the basic right to see his lawyer," said Zamir's daughter Keren, who claims that her father merely wanted to help people in need of organ transplants.
Police officials have denied the family's claim, saying Zamir, 62, who was awarded a medal of valor in the Yom Kippur War, was not prevented from meeting his attorney.
According to the police, the ring members advertised online offering people waiting for years for a kidney transplant an alternate solution, for the price of $140,000.
Other online ads made offers of $10,000 for kidneys. To those who remained hesitant, the suspects allegedly offered up to $100,000. However the donors were never paid.
Zamir's family claims that his actions were within the law. "He doesn't know any of the other people involved in the affair, and the court will realize that he has no connection to the allegations against him," his daughter said.
Superintendant Aharon Galor told Ynet, "(Zamir) received a lot of money for the assistance he provided to people who were in need of a transplant."
Police are expected to arrest additional suspects on Sunday.
