Swansea man with ‘barbaric plans’ jailed in ‘landmark’ first of its kind case – Wales Online
A man from Wales has been sentenced to jail for becoming the first person convicted of conspiracy to commit female genital mutilation (FGM) in England and Wales. Emad Kaky, aged 47, made arrangements for a young girl to travel from the UK to Iraq, where he planned to carry out the barbaric act. Following a two-week trial, he was found guilty of conspiracy to commit FGM and forced marriage. Judge Nirmal Shant KC described his plans as “barbaric.” Kaky, who lived in Swansea but was in Nottingham at the time, booked and paid for the trip, which was reported to the police by a witness.
Messages found on Kaky’s mobile phone clearly indicated his intention to subject the girl to FGM, with Kaky describing this heinous act as “normal.” Although the procedure was not carried out and the victim was unaware of the plan, the court acknowledged the serious nature of the intended harm. Describing Kaky’s actions as barbaric, the judge highlighted that although the FGM did not take place, the planned offence warranted a deterrent sentence.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) hailed this conviction as a “landmark” case, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the crime. Janine McKinney, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, condemned Kaky’s actions, stressing the unimaginable harm the child would have suffered if the plan had succeeded. The university where Kaky was a visiting scholar expressed its disassociation from such abhorrent acts, stating that there is no place for such barbarity in society.
Justice has been served in this case, sending a clear message that FGM and forced marriage will not be tolerated. The CPS, working alongside law enforcement agencies, remains committed to bringing perpetrators of such crimes to justice. Emad Kaky’s conviction marks a significant step in combating these forms of abuse and protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.
The University of Nottingham, where Kaky was associated as a visiting academic, severed ties with him following his arrest. As this precedent-setting trial concludes, the legal system continues to uphold the importance of safeguarding individuals from such extreme forms of abuse.