Seven men remanded in group-based CSE investigation – Norwich

Seven men charged with 40 offences connected to group-based child sexual exploitation have been remanded in custody after appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court today (Friday 22 May 2026).

The men, all Afghan nationals and refugees, are accused of offences committed between August 2023 and May 2025 against two victims who were aged early-to-mid teens when the alleged offences took place.

All seven defendants were remanded into custody ahead of a plea hearing at Norwich Crown Court on 19 June 2026.

The charges follow a co-ordinated police operation held on Wednesday (20 May) when officers raided seven addresses, six in Norwich and one in Dumbarton, Scotland, that led to seven men being arrested.

Officers from the Garda Siochana arrested an eighth suspect, a 19-year-old man, in Ireland this morning (22 May), shortly after 7am. Appropriate legal processes will now be followed to seek the individual’s return to the UK.

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the following charges which relate to offences committed between August 2023 and May 2025. While the Home Office is responsible for confirming immigration status, they have provided this detail to the constabulary for publication. This information is also included alongside the defendants.

The charges relate to two victims, who were aged in their early-to-mid teens at the time of the alleged offences.

• Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 20, of Pottergate, Norwich. He is Afghan and his self-defined ethnicity is ‘Any other White Background’. He has been charged with nine counts of rape, two counts of conspiracy to rape, one count of facilitate human trafficking, one count of perverting the course of justice. He entered the country concealed on a lorry on 24 June 2020. His immigration status is ‘refugee’.
• Jamil Khalili, 20, of High Street, Dumbarton, Scotland. He is Afghan and his self-defined ethnicity is ‘Any Other Mixed Background’. He is charged with seven counts of rape, one count of conspiracy to rape and one count of facilitate human trafficking. He entered the country via small boat on 23 March 2021. His immigration status is ‘refugee’.
• Fazal Auryakhel, 20, of Eleanor Road, Norwich. He is Afghan and his self-defined ethnicity is ‘Arab’. He is charged with one count of rape. He entered the country via small boat on 26 February 2022. His immigration status is ‘refugee’.
• Qais Kaker, 20, of Black Horse Opening, Norwich. He is Afghan. His self-defined ethnicity is ‘Any Other Asian Background’. He is charged with four counts of rape, one count of conspiracy to rape and one count of facilitate human trafficking. He entered the country via small boat on 4 September 2022. His immigration status is ‘refugee’.
• Mohammed Farooq Shinwary, 20, of St Benedicts St, Norwich. He is Afghan and his self-defined ethnicity is ‘Any other Asian background’. He is charged with two counts of rape. He entered the country via small boat on 28 May 2021. His immigration status is ‘refugee’.
• Ali Ahamad, 21, of Pelham Rd, Norwich. He is Afghan and his self-defined ethnicity is ‘Any Other White Background’. He is charged with one count of rape, three counts of facilitate human trafficking. He attempted to enter the UK clandestinely via Portsmouth ferry port on 4 May 2021. His immigration status is ‘refugee’.
• Sayed Wahid Davodzai, 20, of St Benedicts St, Norwich. He is Afghan and his self-defined ethnicity is ‘Any other Asian background’. He is charged with four counts of rape and one count of conspiracy to rape. He entered the country via small boat on 9 October 2022. His immigration status is ‘refugee’.

None of the suspects charged with the above offences have lived at asylum hotels in Norfolk and none of the offending in these offences happened in asylum hotels.

This enforcement activity follows a complex and sensitive investigation, which began in September 2023 following a disclosure from a young girl. As the scale of offending became clearer, it led to the creation of a dedicated multi-agency investigation team in July 2025, with officers working closely with partners, including Norfolk County Council’s Children’s Services and the Crown Prosecution Service to build the evidential case. The team has also worked with trauma-informed support services to safeguard and support those affected.

Officers continued to work at length with the victims to try to build their trust, so they felt able to share deeply personal and distressing information. During the course of the investigation, multiple arrests have been made, initially in 2023 and most recently in February this year. Six of the men charged with offences today have been arrested previously in connection with this investigation.

Det Supt Stacey Murray, who is leading the investigation, said: “At the heart of our investigation and at the forefront of our minds are the victims. Their safety and wellbeing are our primary concern and our priority.

“I want to reassure everyone that we are being meticulous in our approach to this investigation. A dedicated team continues to work solely on this to examine every available line of inquiry and gather evidence, while respecting the traumatic experiences of the victims.”

“We know from our work with the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) that victims may choose if, when, or whether to come forward. The investigation and justice process can feel overwhelming, and risk may still be present. What matters is that, when they are ready, victims know they will be listened to, believed and supported.”

Norwich Superintendent Craig Miller said: “I know this news will be shocking to our communities. This type of case is very upsetting, and I want people living and working in Norwich, as well as the wider communities of Norfolk, to know that we will do everything possible to protect children from abuse and exploitation.

“The Phoenix Project, for example, was launched as a direct result of this investigation to build on the support already available to children and young people. It brings together police, Children’s Services and health colleagues in one team to safeguard children at risk outside the home and keep them safe.

“We will have officers in the city and the wider Norwich communities over the next few weeks to provide reassurance. Please approach them if you feel concerned or worried.”

Officers are encouraging anyone with information about this investigation to come forward and share this with us.

If it's not an emergency, the easiest way to contact us is online. Your report will be sent directly to our control room where it will be reviewed by the same team who answer our calls. Please include the name Op Highwood26 in your report to us, and it will be passed to the dedicated investigation team. You can contact us online here Contact us online.

You can also call 101 and reference Op Highwood26 in your conversation.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.

If you’ve experienced child sexual abuse or exploitation, you can also find further advice and support here:  When you are Ready

You’ll also find further information on our website.

*NAPAC is a dedicated national specialist support service for adult survivors of childhood abuse.