Seven Afghan refugees accused of being part of a grooming gang in Norfolk have been charged with rape and child sex offences after a young girl came forward to police.The charges against the men relate to alleged offences that took place against two girls in their early-to-mid teens in Norwich between August 2023 and May 2025. All seven are Afghan nationals seeking asylum, police have confirmed, but none of them have been living in asylum hotels in Norfolk and none of the offences are said to have taken place there. Jamil Khalil, 21, of Dumbarton, Scotland, has been charged with seven counts of rape, one of human trafficking and one of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse. The six other men, who are all of Norwich, include Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 21, who faces nine counts of rape and Qais Kaker, 20, charged with four counts.Both face additional charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse and perverting the course of justice.Fazal Auryakhel, 20, and Mohammed Farooq Sinwary, 23, are charged with one and two counts of rape respectively.Ali Ahamad, 21, is charged with rape and three counts of human trafficking, and Sayed Wahid Daviodzai, 20, has been charged with four counts of rape and one of conspiracy to commit child sexual abuse. Seven Afghan nationals have been charged with a total 40 offences after an investigation into child sexual exploitation in Norwich The men's ethnicities were described in various ways to police, including as 'any other white background', 'and other mixed background', and 'Arab'All seven appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court on Friday, where they spoke only to confirm their names. They were remanded in custody until a plea hearing at Norwich Crown Court on June 19.Five of the men entered the UK via small boats between March 2021 and October 2022, police have said. Ahmadzai arrived concealed on a lorry in 2020, while Ahamad entered Britain clandestinely via Portsmouth in 2021.They described their ethnicities in various ways to police, including as 'any other white background', 'and other mixed background', and 'Arab'. Police carried out a major operation on Wednesday, in which they raided six addresses in Norwich and one in Dumbarton and arrested the men.An eighth man, aged 19, was detained this morning in Ireland. Authorities are now seeking to have him returned to the UK.Officers began investigating after a young girl made a disclosure in September 2023. After the scale of the men's offending became clear, Norfolk Constabulary evolved the probe into a multi-agency investigation team, working with others including Norfolk County Council's Children's Services and the Crown Prosecution Service.The force said officers worked 'at length with the victims to try to build their trust' and with 'trauma-informed support services to safeguard and support those affected'.It is now appealing for anyone with any information about the case to come forward, by getting in touch online or via 101 and quoting the name Op Highwood26. Officers began investigating after a young girl made a disclosure in September 2023 Police carried out a major operation on Wednesday and raided six addresses in Norwich and one in Dumbarton and arrested the menDet 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.'Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service's Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, added: 'We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.'It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.'Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Natalie Fleet, said: 'These are hideous cases and the fact that the suspects arrived through illegal routes only underlines their shocking nature. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.'Anyone convicted of these crimes must face the full force of the law, and this government is clear that vile foreign criminals have no place in the UK.'The grooming gangs scandal is one of this country's greatest failures. We will do everything in our power to protect vulnerable girls and not allow victims to be ignored like so many were previously.'We thank the police in Norfolk for their extensive work in this investigation, and they have our full support as that continues.'