Seven Afghan nationals have been charged with a combined 40 offenses following police raids targeting group-based child sexual exploitation in Norwich and Dumbarton.
Norfolk Police confirmed the suspects, six aged 20 and one aged 21, all hold refugee status.
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The charges involve two female victims who were in their early to mid-teens when the alleged offenses occurred between August 2023 and May 2025.
Five of the defendants arrived in the UK via small boats, one hidden inside a lorry, and another through a port.
None resided in asylum hotels in Norfolk, and the incidents did not take place at asylum-seeker facilities.
The seven appeared before magistrates in Norwich, speaking only to confirm their names, and were remanded in custody until a June 19 hearing at Norwich Crown Court.
An eighth suspect, aged 19, was arrested in Ireland on Friday as part of the ongoing investigation.
Charges Include Rape and Trafficking
Individual charges include multiple counts of rape, conspiracy to rape, facilitating human trafficking, and perverting the course of justice.
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Ahmadin Ahmadzai faces nine rape counts, Jamil Khalili seven, Qais Kaker and Sayed Wahid Davodzai four each, Mohammed Farooq Shinwary two, while Fazal Auryakhel and Ali Ahamad face one each.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Natalie Fleet condemned the crimes.
“These are hideous cases and the fact that the suspects arrived through illegal routes only underlines their shocking nature,” she said.
Fleet expressed support for the victims and emphasized the government’s stance.
“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.”
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Det Supt Stacey Murray, leading the investigation for Norfolk Police, said: “I want to reassure everyone that we are being meticulous in our approach to this investigation.”
