Two More People Charged in Genital Mutilation Case

DETROIT (AP) — Two more people have been charged in Detroit in an investigation of alleged genital mutilation against two girls in a Muslim sect.

The government filed charges, including conspiracy, against the owner of a suburban Detroit clinic, where he allegedly circumcised 7-year-old girls from Minnesota in February. Dr. Fakhruddin Attar and his wife, Farida, appeared in court Friday.

Investigators say the couple knew Dr. Jumana Nagarwala was circumcising girls at the Livonia clinic after hours. Farida Attar is accused of assisting her.

Defense attorney Mary Chartier says Dr. Attar wasn't aware of any crimes. His wife's lawyer declined to comment.

Earlier this week, Nagarwala's attorney says she performed a religious ritual, not genital mutilation. The Attars and Nagarwala belong to a Muslim sect called Dawoodi Bohra.