Trial of eight Afghan men accused of child sexual exploitation moved to London

The trial of eight Afghan men accused of 42 offences against two teenage girls in Norwich, England, has been moved to London, with proceedings now expected to begin in May 2027.

The defendants face charges including rape, conspiracy to rape and human trafficking in connection with alleged offences spanning August 2023 to May 2025. The girls were in their early to mid-teens at the time of the alleged offences.

The 12-week trial was originally scheduled to begin at Norwich Crown Court on January 11, 2027. It will now take place at Southwark Crown Court from May 4, 2027, at the earliest.

The relocation follows concerns about Norwich Crown Court’s ability to accommodate all eight defendants, who remain in custody. The trial date and presiding judge have yet to be confirmed.

All eight men have denied the charges. They are being prosecuted following a police investigation into alleged group-based child exploitation in Norwich.

The defendants are Jamil Khalil, 21, of Dumbarton, Scotland; Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 21; Qais Kaker, 20; Fazal Auryakhel, 20; Mohammed Farooq Sinwary, 20; Ali Ahamad, 21; Sayed Wahid Daviodzai, 20, all of Norwich; and Bilal Shinwari, 20, of Bowthorpe.

The charges vary between defendants, ranging from individual rape allegations to multiple counts of rape, human trafficking and conspiracy. Shinwari was arrested in Ireland and returned to the United Kingdom in July.

According to the information provided by authorities, six of the men entered the UK in small boats, while the other two arrived concealed in vehicles.

Norfolk Police has stressed that none of the accused men lived in asylum hotels in Norfolk and that none of the alleged offences took place at such facilities.

Detective Superintendent Stacey Murray has said the safety and wellbeing of the victims remain the investigation’s primary concern.

She said a dedicated team was examining all available lines of inquiry and gathering evidence while taking account of the traumatic experiences of the victims.

The case is expected to be heard over approximately three months, with proceedings now scheduled to begin no earlier than May 2027.