A former PhD student has been found guilty of conspiring to commit female genital mutilation (FGM) against a young girl in the first conviction of its kind in England and Wales.  

Emad Kaky, 47, from Swansea, arranged for the child to travel from the UK to Iraq where he had organised for her to be subjected to FGM and forced into marriage.  

He was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit FGM and forced marriage, which he denied. In order to ensure the case went to trial, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had to show both that FGM is a criminal offence in Iraq and that the man had committed an act in England and Wales, where the CPS has jurisdiction to prosecute, as part of the conspiracy to commit FGM.

To fulfil this requirement, prosecutors presented evidence that showed he had booked and paid for the trip to Iraq while living in Nottingham. Messages retrieved from his phone showed Kaky clearly intended for the girl to be subjected to FGM and forced into marriage. He went on to defend his actions when a witness challenged him, calling FGM “normal”.

To further help the jury understand what FGM involves, the prosecution secured evidence from a cultural expert, who gave evidence about the practices and the physical and psychological harm it can inflict.

This is the first time a person in England and Wales has been convicted of conspiring to commit FGM. Kaky is now due to be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 3rd October.

Speaking about the conviction, which took place in September at Nottingham Crown Court, Savera UK CEO and Founder, Afrah Qassim, said: “FGM is a harmful and abusive practice and a violation of human rights. As with the conviction and sentencing of Amina Noor in February 2024, this is another landmark decision that sends a strong message to those who perpetrate FGM will be held accountable. 

“It also shows those at risk or under threat of FGM, survivors of the practice, or those who raise the alarm rather than looking the other way can seek help or speak out, and that they will be listened to and believed.

“The use of evidence from a cultural expert also highlights the importance of the CPS and statutory services working with specialist services to secure convictions.

“We welcome this conviction and thank the CPS for its commitment to getting justice for survivors and those at risk. It sets a precedent for future cases and provides those organisations, like Savera UK, working to end FGM and other harmful practices with another tool to challenge these forms of abuse and violations of human rights.

“Savera UK stands with all survivors and those at risk of FGM and those working to help them. Together we will end FGM and all forms of harmful practices.”

Read more about the conviction here: https://www.cps.gov.uk/east-midlands/news/man-convicted-conspiring-commit-fgm-against-young-girl-legal-first