EMAD KAKY, 47, from Neath Road, Swansea, has been remanded in custody pending sentencing after being convicted of conspiring to commit female genital mutilation (FGM) in a groundbreaking legal case.
Kaky, formerly a PhD student at the University of Nottingham, was found guilty following a two-week trial. The court heard that he had sent disturbing messages about the intended victim, a child, stating that the mutilation would be “something normal” and that the child “was not going to die.”
The case marks one of the first convictions under the FGM Act in England and Wales. During the trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Duncan Atkinson KC explained that FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons, resulting in serious harm.
Atkinson presented evidence of messages Kaky had sent to a witness, which included statements such as: “This matter will last less than two days,” and “All of my tribe had done it and they lead a normal life – nothing happened to them. This is not killing – this is something normal.”
The matter was reported to the police, leading to Kaky’s arrest and the seizure of two mobile phones. Although one phone contained some messages, crucial references to FGM were missing, suggesting an attempt to conceal his criminal intent. Kaky denied any involvement in arranging the FGM, claiming ignorance of the practice and preparing a lengthy statement refuting the charges.
Judge Nirmal Shant KC has adjourned sentencing until October 3 and has ordered Kaky to remain in custody. Kaky had denied the charges, including an alternative count of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent.
This case follows only two previous convictions under the FGM Act in England and Wales, the most recent of which occurred last October at the Old Bailey in London.
Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, remarked, “Female genital mutilation is a horrific crime to subject anyone to – let alone a child. This landmark case sends a strong message to offenders of this sickening crime – just because an offence has been committed somewhere else in the world does not stop you facing prosecution. We will explore every avenue in our pursuit to get justice for victims wherever our legal test is met.”
