A couple from a small Islamic sect who were charged over the genital mutilation of their young daughters have appeared in court this morning - but their lawyer was at pains to explain their case had nothing to do with religion.
The man, a GP, and his wife, who both can’t be identified for legal reasons, were arrested and charged earlier this month over the “female circumcision” of their daughters - aged six and seven.
Their lawyer John Sutton told Parramatta Court the pair belonged to a “very small religious order”, but the allegations had nothing to do with their faith.
While the couple are the first to be charged with the offence - introduced under new laws in 1994 - police said the girls may not be the only alleged victims of forced female circumcision within the community.
The family’s religious leader was also charged with being an accessory to the female genital mutilation and with hindering police investigations into the alleged crimes.
He appeared in the same court this morning, but Magistrate Anthony Marsden suppressed the man’s identity after being told there was a “real risk” the girls could also be identified if he was named.
Police allege the Islamic leader told other members of the religious community to lie about the extent of female genital mutilation among their sect, which is based in western Sydney.
None of the trio entered a plea yesterday, but outside the court Mr Sutton said there would be an “absolute denial” of the police allegations.
The case will return to court on November 8.
Police have also charged a retired nurse with carrying out the procedures on both girls.
She was previously granted bail and is due to appear in Campbelltown Court next week.
Four other women who were allegedly present during one or both the procedures were also charged last week and they are due to appear in Parramatta Court in November.