A former doctoral candidate has been convicted of conspiring to carry out female genital mutilation (FGM) in a case that has been labeled as groundbreaking.
Emad Kaky orchestrated the travel of a young girl from the United Kingdom to Iraq, where she was intended to undergo FGM and be coerced into marriage. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) indicated that this conviction marks a historic first for such an offense in England and Wales.
Kaky, who resided in Nottingham during the time of these crimes, was found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday.
A Case of Severe Harm
The 47-year-old is scheduled for sentencing at the same court on October 3rd. Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, stated: “Female genital mutilation is an abhorrent crime against anyone—especially a child.”
She emphasized that there was substantial evidence indicating Kaky’s intention for this young girl to endure significant harm and be forced into an unlawful marriage without any means to resist due to her age.
“This landmark ruling sends a powerful message to those who commit such despicable acts,” McKinney added. “Just because these offenses occur elsewhere does not exempt you from facing legal consequences here.”
Uncovering the Plot
Kaky now resides in Swansea, Wales, and faced two charges: conspiracy to commit FGM and forced marriage. His plans were revealed by a witness who facilitated the victim’s return journey back to the UK and subsequently alerted law enforcement about Kaky’s intentions.
Prosecutors presented compelling evidence showing that Kaky had arranged and financed the trip while still living in Nottingham. Additionally, messages retrieved from his mobile device confirmed his plans for both FGM procedures and forced marriage involving the victim.
Addressing Unacceptable Practices
FGM has been illegal in England and Wales since 1985; however, according to CPS data, this represents only their third conviction related to FGM overall but notably marks the first instance where someone has been convicted specifically for conspiracy related to it.
Jaswant Narwal, national lead at CPS focusing on honor-based abuse including FGM and forced marriages remarked that FGM constitutes “a form of violence against women and girls.” She acknowledged that prosecuting such cases can be complex due primarily to cultural sensitivities within tightly-knit communities both domestically and internationally; nevertheless, she affirmed their commitment stating:
“There is no justification for allowing this intolerable practice within our society,” Narwal asserted. “We will persistently collaborate with our partners dedicatedly working towards protecting victims of FGM while ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.”
This case serves as an important reminder about ongoing efforts needed globally against practices like female genital mutilation which violate human rights principles universally recognized today.
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