The doctor accused in the nation's first-ever female genital mutilation (FGM) case has been released on bond after raising $4.5 million. The bulk of the money came from 17 supporters, who put up their homes as collateral. Dr. Jumana Nagarwala has been in jail since her arrest in April. Nargarwala was originally accused of mutilating girls in Michigan, but she has since been accused of doing the procedure in three additional states.
Nagarwala has defended it as a religious practice as part of her sect of Islam, and plans on using "religious freedom" as part of her defense. A mosque is also accused of paying for some of the FGM procedures.
From WXYZ Detroit, who called the decision to allow Nargarwala to be released "shocking":
Dr. Jumana Nagarwala, the lead defendant in the nation’s first female genital mutilation federal indictment is posting $4.5 million in bond.
Despite the horrifying charges Dr Nagarwala faces, she has supporters - 17 of which have offered to put their own homes and assets on the line to free the doctor from jail until trial, a trial by the way – that is being watched closely all over the country.
Attorney Elizabeth Yore flew out from Chicago for the bond hearing, knowing this case will set the stage for future FGM federal prosecutions in other states.
“They have uncovered an underground network of human mutilators that are trafficking their children across state lines,” she says.
As part of her release, Nagarwala will have to wear a GPS monitor and comply with other conditions. According to WXYZ Detroit, neither Nagarwala nor her mosque would provide a comment.
This is insane. She's unrepentant and dangerous, and clearly doesn't think she's done anything wrong. There's no medical reason for FGM, and it's an abhorrent practice that has no place in the United States.