Elene Deisadzé, a Georgian student, was scrolling on TikTok in 2022 when she came across the account of Anna Pantchoulidzé, who looked just like her. Intrigued, she contacted her, and the two young women, now aged 19, formed a digital friendship. Their astonishing similarities lingered in their minds, especially when they separately learned upon turning 18 that they had been adopted. A DNA test revealed that they were not only from the same family but were actually twin sisters.
Anna, who studies English, shared her feelings with AFP, saying, 'I had a happy childhood, but now my whole past seems like an illusion.' Elene and Anna's story is far from unique; they are among tens of thousands of Georgian children who have been victims of baby trafficking, a practice that has continued for over fifty years in this Caucasian state. A notable case in the country involves twins Anna Startania and Tako Khvitia, who were taken from their mother at birth and found each other twenty years later.
Between 1950 and 2006, at least 120,000 babies were 'stolen from their parents and sold,' according to Georgian journalist Tamouna Mousseridzé. These infants were taken from their mothers, often under the pretext of their deaths, and given to adoptive parents in Georgia or abroad with falsified birth certificates. This network involved maternity wards, nurseries, and adoption agencies seeking profit.
Elene and Anna began to unravel their stolen past two years ago. 'We became friends without realizing that we were sisters, but we felt that there was a special bond between us,' explains Elene, a psychology student. Their respective parents had long planned to reveal their adoption and finally did so last summer.
Anna admits to having had 'a hard time accepting this new reality.' She says, 'The people who raised me for 18 years are not my parents, but I don’t feel the slightest anger, only immense gratitude to those who raised me and the joy of having found my flesh and blood.' Elene and Anna's DNA test was organized with the help of journalist Tamouna Mousseridzé, who runs a Facebook group aimed at reuniting stolen babies with their biological parents.
Tamouna founded this group in 2021 after learning she was adopted, hoping to reunite with her family. She later discovered the extent of the trafficking. 'The mothers were told that their babies had died shortly after birth and were buried in the hospital cemetery,' explains Tamouna. 'In fact, hospitals had no cemeteries, and babies were secretly kidnapped and sold to adoptive parents.'
Among the 200,000 members of her group, some women only learned years later that their missing babies might be alive. Adoptive parents were often told fabricated stories about the infant's past, unaware of the operation's illegality. 'Some, however, consciously chose to circumvent the law and buy a baby' to avoid long adoption waiting times, says Tamouna.
In the Soviet Union, of which Georgia was a part, couples paid the equivalent of several months' salaries to adopt these children, according to the journalist. Abroad, they were sold for up to $30,000. Anti-human trafficking measures, decided by then-president Mikheïl Saakashvili, finally ended this system in the 2000s.
Elene's adoptive mother, Lia Korkotadze, and her husband decided to adopt after learning they could not have children. Turning to an orphanage 'seemed virtually impossible because of the incredibly long waiting lists,' explains the 61-year-old economist. In 2005, an acquaintance told them about a six-month-old baby in a local hospital who could be adopted for a payment. Lia saw this as her 'chance' and seized it, bringing Elene home shortly after. She never suspected there was 'anything illegal' about it.
Formalizing the adoption via a court took 'months of unbearable bureaucratic delays,' according to her. The youngest adopted babies are now teenagers, and many are much older. Tamouna's work was essential in awakening public opinion. More than 800 families have been reunited through her Facebook group. Successive Georgian governments have launched several investigations, and a handful of arrests have been announced over the past two decades.
However, little information has emerged, and many gray areas remain. The spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior, Tato Koutchava, assured AFP that the investigation was 'ongoing,' without commenting further. For Tamouna, this is not enough. 'The government has done nothing concrete to help us.'
In January 2024, the BBC revealed a similar story of Amy and Ano, two Georgian twin sisters who were also victims of baby trafficking. The two girls found each other at the age of 18 thanks to TikTok and the same Facebook group.
- Elene and Anna's story is a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impact of baby trafficking in Georgia. Their journey to uncover their true identities highlights the resilience and determination of many adoptees searching for their biological families.
- The Facebook group run by Tamouna Mousseridzé has become a beacon of hope for many, reuniting over 800 families and shedding light on the dark history of baby trafficking in Georgia. Despite the challenges, the group continues to grow, offering support and resources to those affected.
- The Georgian government's response to the revelations has been slow and insufficient, according to many affected families. While some arrests have been made, much more needs to be done to address the issue and provide justice for the victims.
- As more stories like Elene and Anna's come to light, there is a growing call for comprehensive investigations and accountability. The hope is that such efforts will prevent future generations from experiencing similar traumas.
