Two Afghan asylum seekers have been accused of allegedly raping a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, West Midlands.
Ahmad Murakir, 23, was charged with the alleged rape from last month after entering the UK illegally via a small boat. Meanwhile, Mohammad Kabir, also 23, is accused of assisting in the alleged assault and strangulation of the young girl, who was under professional care.
Local police reportedly instructed officials to keep the men’s identities, including their asylum-seeker status, confidential, fearing that disclosing this information could escalate community tensions.
Additionally, it’s noted that both men were residing in accommodations managed by Serco, contractors involved in a government scheme for asylum seekers.
Warwickshire Police defended their decision not to disclose details about the men’s immigration status, emphasizing the need for caution.
However, local council member George Finch expressed concerns that this “cover-up” might actually heighten tensions in the community more than revealing the truth would.
In a letter, Finch urged Warwickshire Police Chief Constable and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to disclose the immigration status of the accused and close all local asylum accommodations.
He reiterated, “As a leader in Warwickshire County Council, my primary duty is to safeguard my residents. Withholding information about Murakir’s immigration status poses risks to public safety.” He reflected on past social unrest in the UK, criticizing authorities for not learning from similar incidents.
Reform leader Nigel Farage added his discontent with the government, linking the incident to a broader failure to ensure public safety.
Farage pointed out that the sexual assault of young girls is a troubling outcome of what he characterizes as governmental weaknesses, demanding stricter measures against such offenders.
This comes amid increasing protests nationwide against the government’s handling of borders and the housing of many undocumented individuals in hotels at taxpayer expense.
Some councils have opted to hide crime information involving immigrants in hotel accommodations, fearing it could escalate community tensions—a strategy seen previously during the scandals involving various grooming gangs.
