CRM-MG acquits doctors convicted of organ trafficking.

247 - Convicted and imprisoned last week for removing the organs of 10-year-old Paulo Pavesi while he was still alive, doctors Cláudio Rogério Carneiro Fernandes and Celso Roberto Frasson Scafi were acquitted of the same charge in an administrative proceeding conducted by the Regional Council of Medicine of Minas Gerais (CRM-MG). The decision was unanimous among a group of 42 council members.

Last week, when sentencing them, the court also requested the revocation of the two doctors' professional licenses, so that they could no longer practice medicine. However, with the decision made by the CRM-MG (Regional Council of Medicine of Minas Gerais), the professionals remain qualified to practice medicine. The court indicates that the boy's organs were sold in a trafficking situation in Minas Gerais.

Four other doctors were also acquitted by the CRM (Regional Council of Medicine) in the same case: Félix Herman Gamarra Alcantara, Alexandre Crispino Zincone, Gérsio Zincone, and João Alberto Goes Brandão. The first two were convicted, in addition to Pavesi's death, for the death and organ harvesting for sale of bricklayer José Domingos de Carvalho. The last two were convicted only for the bricklayer's death.

The CRM (Regional Medical Council) argues that it produced a "comprehensive" report after analyzing the complaints, medical records, and witness testimonies. According to the council members, it was clear that the professionals mentioned did not violate the code of ethics. "It was understood that there was no evidence of irregularity in the records. The judge bases his decision on the Penal Code, but the CRM decides in the administrative sphere, based on the code of ethics," the organization stated.