A fourth person has been charged in connection to female genital mutilation in the metro Detroit area.
Tahera Shafiq, 48, is charged with Conspiracy to Commit and aiding in FGM.
Dr. Fakhruddin Attar, 53, and his wife Farida Attar, 50, are also accused of Conspiracy to Commit Female Genital Mutilation and Aiding and Abetting Female Genital Mutilation. The doctor and his wife are accused of conspiring with another doctor, Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, who has also been indicted.
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The illegal procedures allegedly took place at Dr. Fakhruddin Attar's Livonia clinic, which was raided.
The charges were announced after a Henry Ford Hospital emergency room doctor was arrested and charged in connection to performing the illegal practice. Dr. Attar and his wife are accused of conspiring with Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, 44, of Northville. Nagarwala was arrested on April 12.
“Female Genital Mutilation has serious implications for the health and well-being of girls and women,” stated Acting United States Attorney Daniel Lemisch. “This brutal practice is conducted on girls for one reason, to control them as women. FGM will not be tolerated in the United States. The federal government is continuing this investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
According to previous criminal complaint, Dr. Attar, his wife and Dr. Nagarwala conspired to perform the procedure on girls ages six to eight years old at a medical clinic in Livonia.
Some of the children were brought from out of state for the illegal procedure. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is considered the complete removal or partial removal of the clitoris, known as a clitoridectomy. FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of women and girls.
Some consider FGM as a religious and cultural practice. The purpose of this illegal practice is to suppress female sexuality in order to reduce sexual pleasure.
In the criminal affidavit, Nagarwala performed FGM on girls who were approximately 7 years old at the time at a clinic in Livonia.
The investigation revealed that in one particular case, a 7-year-old was brought by her family from Minnesota. An investigation into phone records revealed their location. The child was interviewed on April 10. She stated that she was brought to Detroit for "special girls trip."
The child victim also stated that she said she had to go to the doctor "to get the germs out." Upon a medical exam on April 11, a doctor determined that the child's genitals had been altered or removed. The child identified Dr. Nagarwala as the doctor who performed the procedure.
The affidavit also alleges that there are Michigan victims as well.
“According to the complaint, despite her oath to care for her patients, Dr. Nagarwala is alleged to have performed horrifying acts of brutality on the most vulnerable victims,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Blanco. “The Department of Justice is committed to stopping female genital mutilation in this country, and will use the full power of the law to ensure that no girls suffer such physical and emotional abuse.”
“Female genital mutilation constitutes a particularly brutal form of violence against women and girls. It is also a serious federal felony in the United States. The practice has no place in modern society and those who perform FGM on minors will be held accountable under federal law,” stated Acting United States Attorney Daniel Lemisch.
The FBI believes there could be more victims. They have set up a tip line for anyone who has any information pertaining to the illegal practices of FGM or Nagarwala. Please call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5984) or file an e-tip at FBI.gov/FGM.
Read the criminal complaint below:
Tahera Shafiq Charged in Female Genital Mutilation case by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
