Arabic version: سبعة رجال أفغان متهمون باستغلال الأطفال في نورفولك

Seven Afghan men have been charged with a total of 40 offences related to group-based child exploitation, according to BBC News. The arrests occurred on Wednesday following police raids at six locations in Norwich and one in Dumbarton, Scotland.

The men, six aged 20 and one aged 21, are accused of exploiting two girls who were in their early to mid-teens at the time of the alleged offences, which are said to have taken place between August 2023 and May 2025. During their appearance at Norwich Magistrate’s Court, all seven men confirmed their names but did not provide further comments.

Norfolk Police indicated that the men hold refugee status, with five having entered the UK via small boats, one hidden in a lorry, and another arriving through a port. Natalie Fleet, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, condemned the nature of the cases, emphasizing that those convicted must face severe consequences.

An eighth suspect, aged 19, was arrested in Ireland as part of the ongoing investigation. The men charged are scheduled to appear at Norwich Crown Court on June 19, facing serious allegations including multiple counts of rape and facilitating human trafficking.