ISIS sanctioned the harvesting of human organs according to a ruling in a January 31, 2015, document that says that taking organs from a living captive to save a Muslim’s life is permissible even if it is fatal for the captive. The ruling by the group’s Islamic scholars of the ISIS’ Research and Fatwa Committee has raised concerns that ISIS may be trading body parts.

“The apostate’s life and organs don’t have to be respected and may be taken with impunity,” says Fatwa Number 68. “Organs that end the captive’s life if removed: The removal of that type is also not prohibited.”

The document does not offer proof that ISIS engages in organ harvesting or trafficking, but merely gives religious sanctions for doing so according to the extremist group’s harsh interpretation of Islam.