The main crimes against 11 minors, even at the age of puberty, were called “group sexual exploitation of children” by the Bristol police. Other crimes are related to the distribution of drugs, the acquisition of child pornography or exploitation.
On Wednesday, none of the accused confessed to the crimes at the Bristol Magistrate’s Court and did not even apply for bail. The Guardian writes that the men will remain in custody until the trial at Bristol Crown Court, which is scheduled to begin on December 17.
“We are continuing a complex and very sensitive investigation. At its core, it is primarily intended to protect young girls from exploitation, while simultaneously proving and punishing a crime,” said the chief investigator of the case, Tom Herbert.
“Working with other departments and agencies, we have now organized an event in central Bristol and are continuing to work with hotels, taxi drivers and other businesses to raise awareness of the signs of violence and the need to report any concerns or problems to the police,” he concludes.
According to Sky News, most of the detainees are migrants, nineteen-year-old Mohamed Arafe is Syrian, just like Wadie Sharaf, who is two years older. The group also includes 20-year-old Iranian Sina Omari and 19-year-old Iraqi Sardam Ahmed and 26-year-old Egyptian Ihab Al-Eisawi. The remaining suspects are British, but with Arabic names. Six of them lived in Bristol.
Already once, in April 2024, they were detained and then released on bail. Even after their release, they committed crimes, including rape. Their victims were teenagers over 15, in one case even under 15. Several of them were also accused of drug distribution, mostly ecstasy, but also cocaine and cannabis.
Members of the accused gang from Bristol
Mohamed Arafe, 19 years oldcharged with five counts of organizing or aiding the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of sexual assault, one count of complicity in the supply of cocaine, and one count of complicity in the supply of ecstasy.
Sina Omari, 20 years oldcharged with two counts of rape, four counts of organizing or aiding the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, two counts of taking an indecent photograph of a child, one count of supplying cocaine, and one count of supplying ecstasy.
Wadie Sharaf, 21 years oldaccused of one rape, one attempted rape, three cases of sexual assault and another case of sexual activity with a child.
Hussain Bashar, 19 years oldaccused of one count of rape.
Mohammed Kurdi, 21 years oldcharged with two counts of rape, two counts of organizing or aiding the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of supplying ecstasy, and another count of supplying cannabis.
Sardam Ahmed, 19 years oldcharged with four counts of rape, one count of organizing or aiding the sexual exploitation of a child, one count of distributing an indecent photograph of a child, one count of participating in the supply of cocaine, and one count of participating in the supply of ecstasy.
Ihab al-Eisawi, 22 years oldaccused of two cases of rape and one case of sexual assault.
