A man who advertised one of his kidneys for sale via the online auction house Marktplaats had the case against him dismissed by magistrates in Utrecht on Friday.

The public prosecution department said the 40-year-old should do 60 hours community service for advertising his kidney for €50,000. The man’s lawyer, in turn, claimed in court he had only been interested in finding out what sort of reactions he would get to the advert.

The magistrate said he believed this position, broadcaster Nos reports.  In addition, advertising a kidney for sale does not prove he actually planned to sell it, the court is quoted as saying.

The only reaction the advert generated was a visit from the police who had been alerted by Marktplaats.

The sale of organs is banned by law in the Netherlands. Although there have been other suspected attempts to sell organs, this is the first time the public prosecution department has taken legal action, Nos says.