Emad Kaky, a 47-year-old former PhD student from Swansea, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for conspiring to commit female genital mutilation (FGM) against a young girl. This conviction marks the first of its kind in England and Wales, highlighting the severity of the crime.
Kaky arranged for the girl to travel from the UK to Iraq, where he intended for her to undergo FGM and be forced into marriage. His plans were thwarted when a witness intervened, facilitating the girl’s return to the UK and reporting Kaky to the police.
After a ten-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Kaky was found guilty of conspiracy to commit FGM and forced marriage on September 9. During the trial, evidence revealed that Kaky regarded these actions as normal, underscoring the urgent need for legal action against such practices.
Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, emphasized the importance of the case, stating, “Had he succeeded, this child would have suffered unimaginable physical and mental harm.” The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including messages from Kaky’s phone that demonstrated his intent and arrangements for the trip.
Prosecutors also engaged a cultural expert to illustrate the grave implications of FGM, ensuring the jury understood its physical and psychological impacts. Kaky’s actions have now set a precedent in combating this form of abuse, sending a strong message that conspiracies to commit such heinous acts will not be tolerated.