Eight arrested in Uppsala after police stop suspected child genital mutilation

On Sunday, law enforcement in Uppsala arrested eight people after stopping a suspected female genital mutilation involving a girl under five years old. Images from the operation show a man wearing medical attire, and authorities say one detainee was seized while holding surgical instruments. The arrests took place in the Sala backe district, and the prosecutor’s office has charged one individual with aggravated assault, ordering a public defender for his interrogation.

The remaining suspects have been released but remain under suspicion. Political figures, including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Social Democrat Teresa Carvalho, condemned the alleged act as barbaric and called for strict punishment and possible deportation of non-citizens. Police spokesperson Stefan Larsson limited comments to stating that investigative steps have been taken, while further details await the prosecutor’s clarification.