Authorities started an investigation into alleged illegalities in the case of a gay British couple who had twin boys through surrogacy in Cyprus.
Limassol Police are examining multiple issues related to the case, including concerns about commercial surrogacy arrangements which are prohibited under both Cypriot and British law.
The investigation follows revelations that the 36-year-old and 33-year-old British men reportedly paid approximately $107,000 for the surrogacy process, according to statements they made to British and American media. Cyprus prohibits payment beyond basic medical expenses.
Clinic’s existence questioned
Officials have been unable to locate the World Center Of Baby clinic, which falsely claimed to be based in Limassol. Ministry of Health officials conducted an on-site inspection earlier this week and found no premises at the advertised address near the city’s Public Garden.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that no birth registration for the twins was filed with the Limassol district administration.
Police investigators who visited the supposed clinic address failed to find even an office for the company, which has since taken down its website following the controversy.
Operation in occupied north suspected
Evidence suggests the surrogacy procedure may have occurred in the occupied north of Cyprus. Investigators believe the alleged offences took place there.
Video on YouTube indicates the company’s services were offered in the occupied territories, with promotional footage showing a medical centre located just past a checkpoint.
Trafficking concerns raised
Experts have suggested the case may have broader implications, drawing parallels with a surrogacy trafficking operation uncovered in Crete, Greece last January, where 300 women testified in a months-long preliminary investigation. That network allegedly organised fictitious embryo transfers and illegal adoptions while exploiting vulnerable women as egg donors and surrogate mothers.
The World Center Of Baby reportedly began operating in Cyprus in March 2022, allegedly relocating from Ukraine following the outbreak of war. According to the company’s now-removed website, it claimed to offer surrogacy services in Cyprus, Mexico, Colombia and US states where surrogacy is legal.
The British couple, Damian, 33, and Pasan Fernando, 36, from St Albans, say their twin boys were born on 3 January 2025 in Cyprus. Their story went viral after the New York Post reported they were stranded in Cyprus due to bureaucracy.
