Two Doctors released without charge after arrest in May over Female Mutilation charge
By Emb Hashmi
Early this year in May two men where arrested by police investigating claims that female genital mutilation is being offered in the UK.
Ali Haji Mao-Aweys, 61, and Omar Sheikh Mohamed Addow, 55, were arrested by West Midlands Police, on suspicion of offences contrary to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003.
Detective Inspector Caroline Marsh said at the time “We are still in the very early stages of this investigation but I hope this morning’s action sends out a clear message about how seriously we are taking these allegations.”
Officers went to three properties in Birmingham on Stratford Road, Sparkhill, Trafalgar Road, Moseley and Kingstanding Road, Kingstanding.
Following the investigation, Harry Ireland, chief crown prosecutor for the West Midlands area, said: “I have advised West Midlands Police to release two men from police bail over allegations concerning female genital mutilation.
On the 19th September the Crown Prosecution decided not to continue to take the case any further as there was insufficient evidence, they said “The case has been reviewed according to the Code for Crown Prosecutors and there is insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.”
Mr Ireland said: “Dr Ali Haji Mao-Aweys and Dr Omar Sheikh Mohamed Addow were arrested in May following a newspaper report in which it was alleged they were willing to carry out genital mutilation on two young girls after being approached by a woman posing as the girls’ aunt, but who was actually working as an undercover journalist or agent of some sort.
“The main evidence in this case is from the undercover journalist or agent but she has consistently failed to sign her draft statement for the police despite being given every opportunity to do so over the past five months.”
Some Facts about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the partor total removal of the female external genitalia.
The practice of FGM is often called “female circumcision” (FC), implying that it is similar to male circumcision. However, the degree of cutting is much more extensive, often impairing a woman’s sexual and reproductive functions.
FGM is practiced in at least 26 of 43 African countries; the prevalence varies from 98 percent in Somalia to 5 percent in Zaire
Where the custom of FGM is practised it affects newborns, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults Most girls undergo FGM when they are between 7 and 10 years old.
Some women undergo FGM during early adulthood when marrying into a community that practices FGM such as in Mali or Nigeria or just before or after the birth of a first child
FGM has become an important issue in the west where countries such as Australia, Canada, England, France, and the United States due to the continuation of the practice by immigrants from countries where FGM is common.
