Detectives from the Logan District Child Protection and Investigation Unit have charged a 53-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman following investigations into allegations of female genital mutilation of two girls aged nine and 12.

Police conducted a joint investigation with other agencies after allegations that the young girls were removed from Queensland in April 2015 and taken to Africa for the procedure.

Detective Inspector Christopher Jory said: “The practice of female genital mutilation and the removal of a child from the state for female genital mutilation are serious criminal offences. This offence was introduced as legislation in Queensland in 2000 and carry penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment.”

A 53-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Underwood have been charged with two counts each of removing a child from the state for female genital mutilation.

The couple will appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on December 16.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.