The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Norfolk Police have announced that seven Afghan nationals have been arrested and charged in connection with a large-scale child sexual exploitation case in Norwich, England. Another 19-year-old asylum seeker was also arrested in Ireland, and efforts are underway to extradite him to the United Kingdom.
According to police, the suspects allegedly sexually abused two teenage girls between August 2023 and May 2025. A total of 40 criminal charges have been filed against the group, including 28 counts of rape, conspiracy to rape, child sexual abuse, and facilitating human trafficking.

The defendants have been identified as:

* Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 20
* Jamil Khalili, 20
* Fazal Auryakhel, 20
* Qais Kaker, 20
* Mohammed Farooq Shinwary, 20
* Ali Ahamad, 21
* Sayed Wahid Davodzai, 20

The suspects are due to appear before Norwich Magistrates’ Court.
The arrests were carried out during a coordinated operation by Norfolk Police on Wednesday. Officers raided seven properties — six in Norwich and one in Dumbarton, Scotland. Another suspect was arrested the following morning in Ireland.
British media reports state that five of the accused entered the UK by small boat crossings between 2021 and 2022. However, the UK Home Office said none of the suspects were living in government asylum accommodation at the time of their arrest.
Norfolk Police said the investigation began in September 2023 after reports were made by a young girl. As the scale of the alleged offences became clearer, a dedicated multi-agency investigation team was established in July 2025 to focus on group-based child sexual exploitation.
A police spokesperson said multiple arrests had been made throughout the investigation and that six of the men charged had previously been arrested in connection with the same case.
Detective Superintendent Stacey Murray, who is leading the investigation, stated:
“At the heart of our investigation are the victims. Their safety and wellbeing remain our primary concern and priority. A dedicated team continues to examine every line of inquiry while respecting the traumatic experiences of the victims.”
Norwich Superintendent Craig Miller described the case as “deeply shocking” for the local community and said police would do everything possible to protect children from abuse and exploitation.
Police also announced that officers would maintain an increased presence in Norwich over the coming weeks to reassure residents.
Meanwhile, UK Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Natalie Fleet, described the allegations as “hideous” and said:
“Anyone convicted of these crimes must face the full force of the law. Dangerous foreign criminals have no place in the UK.”
She added that the grooming gangs scandal had been “one of the country’s greatest failures” and pledged that vulnerable victims would not be ignored.
Norfolk Police have urged anyone with information related to the case to contact authorities through the online reporting system or by calling 101.
Under UK law, all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.