KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UK Crown Prosecution Service has authorized charges against seven Afghan men accused of “membership in a child exploitation and grooming gang” in connection with alleged offenses of rape and sexual abuse of children in Norfolk, eastern England.
In a statement published yesterday (Friday, May 22), the court identified the accused as 20-year-old Jamil Khalil, 21-year-old Ahmad Din Ahmadzai, 20-year-old Qais Kakar, 20-year-old Fazal Oryakhil, 23-year-old Mohammad Farooq Shinwari, 21-year-old Ali Ahmad, and 20-year-old Sayed Wahid Dawoodzai.
Norfolk Police announced that the men were arrested on Wednesday following raids at six addresses in the city of Norwich and one address in Dumbarton, Scotland. They are accused of a series of child rape and sexual abuse offenses allegedly committed between August 2023 and May 2025.
Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that the charges were brought following an investigation by Norfolk Police into organized child grooming and exploitation gangs.
Natalie Fleet, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said: “These are hideous cases and the fact that the suspects arrived through illegal routes only underlines their shocking nature.
“My thoughts are with the victims and their families.
“Anyone convicted of these crimes must face the full force of the law, and this government is clear that vile foreign criminals have no place in the UK.”
Norfolk Police said an eighth man, aged 19, had been arrested in Ireland on Friday as part of the investigation.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, Jamil Khalil has been charged with seven counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, and one count of conspiracy to commit child sexual exploitation. Ahmad Din Ahmadzai faces nine counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, two counts of conspiracy to commit child sexual exploitation, and one count of perverting the course of justice. Qais Kakar has been charged with four counts of rape, one count of human trafficking, two counts of conspiracy to commit child sexual exploitation, and one count of perverting the course of justice. Fazal Oryakhil is charged with one count of rape. Mohammad Farooq Shinwari faces two counts of rape. Ali Ahmad has been charged with one count of rape and three counts of human trafficking. Sayed Wahid Dawoodzai faces four counts of rape and one count of conspiracy to commit child sexual exploitation.
The accused appeared yesterday before a magistrates’ court in Norwich, where they spoke only to confirm their names.
Norfolk Police said that all seven men hold refugee status. Five of them arrived in the United Kingdom by small boats, one entered the country clandestinely in the back of a truck, and another arrived through a port of entry.
Previously, a number of Afghan citizens have also been arrested and prosecuted in the United Kingdom in connection with sexual and criminal offenses.
The arrest and prosecution of these individuals have, in some cases, triggered a wave of anti-migrant sentiment, particularly targeting Afghan migrants, and have intensified efforts by several European countries to more aggressively pursue the deportation of migrants and asylum seekers to Afghanistan.
The case has once again drawn public attention to the broader debate over refugee integration, public safety, and immigration policies across Europe, while rights advocates have warned against generalizing criminal allegations against entire migrant communities based on the actions of a few individuals.
Britain has offered sanctuary to over 37,000 Afghans via its 2 resettlement schemes since 2021, while 190,000 visas were granted on humanitarian routes in 2025.
Between 2010 and 2025 the UK has resettled the sixth largest number of refugees referred by the UNCHR in the world, demonstrating this government’s commitment to helping those genuinely in need.
Meanwhile, the case comes amid a broader tightening of UK immigration policy toward Afghan nationals. Earlier, the British government announced the suspension of student and skilled worker visas for Afghans, citing concerns over what it described as the misuse of legal migration routes to seek asylum.
According to the Home Office, asylum applications from Afghan nationals entering through legal pathways have risen sharply in recent years, placing growing pressure on the country’s asylum system. British authorities said the restrictions are part of wider efforts to curb migration pressures and strengthen immigration controls.
In addition, alongside recently announced restrictions on student and skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals, the British Ministry of Defence said it has ended direct evacuation support for former Afghan employees of UK forces and institutions still inside Afghanistan. Under the new policy, those eligible for relocation must travel independently to a third country and present themselves at a UK visa application centre within 12 months to continue the process.
British officials said support for eligible applicants in third countries will continue only until December 2028, after which all relocation assistance will end.
