Two men who are reportedly Afghan asylum seekers have pleaded not guilty over charges relating to the alleged rape and abduction of a 12-year-old girl in Warwickshire.
Mulakhil, of no fixed abode, denied abducting a child, three counts of rape of a child under 13, and two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13.
Kabir, also of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to attempting to take a child, aiding and abetting rape of a child under 13, and intentional strangulation of the girl.
Mulakhil was assisted in the dock by a Farsi interpreter, while Kabir listened through a Pashto interpreter. Their immigration status was not discussed during the 18-minute long hearing.
The two men were remanded into custody until 21 November, when they will be expected to appear in court for a further hearing.
A trial date was set for January 26 next year. It is expected to last five days.
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The allegations against the men led to a protest outside Nuneaton Town Hall earlier this month. A march was led along the high street, with protesters holding St George’s Cross flags and Union flags.
Stand Up to Racism counter-protesters, who held placards and a banner reading “stop the far right”, were significantly outnumbered.
