Female genital mutilation trial moved to June 2018

Jumana Nagarwala
Jumana Nagarwala 

The jury trial for Jumana Nagarwala and the others charged in connection with cutting the genitals of young girls at a Livonia clinic, which was set to begin Oct. 10 in Detroit’s federal court, is now scheduled for June 5, 2018. Earlier on, the trial was scheduled to begin this past June.

Nagarwala is charged alongside Dr. Fakhruddin Attar and his wife, Farida Attar for the illegal procedures which investigators say were performed at the Burhani Medical Clinic in Livonia, owned by Fakruddin Attar and managed by Farida Attar. It’s alleged Farida Attar held the hands of the young girls while the procedure was performed.

Five others are also charged in the case.

Prosecutors allege up to 100 girls might have had the procedure done by Nagarwala over the last 12 years.

U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ordered the trial postponement Sept. 29. In court records, Friedman states in part: “the ends of of justice served by this delay outweighs the interests of the defendants and of the public in a speedy trial.”

Further, Friedman describes the case as “so unusual and complex due to the number of defendants, the nature of the prosecution, and the large volume of discovery, such that it would be unreasonable to expect adequate preparation for pretrial proceedings including motions, within the limits established by the Speedy Trial Act.”

All eight defendants are ordered to appear for a status conference before Friedman on Nov. 21.

Originally Posted at: http://www.themorningsun.com/general-news/20171005/female-genital-mutilation-trial-moved-to-june-2018

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