Two small boat migrants had their asylum granted in Britain despite being wanted for gang rape in Denmark.
Awedin Fikak and Henok Tekleab, both aged 27, were wanted by Danish police for their alleged involvement in a vicious sexual attack before making the illegal Channel crossing in October 2024.
But it would not be another 18 months until the men, both Eritreans, would face justice in Denmark after the horrifying and brutal attack.
In the meantime, the pair were handed taxpayers' cash and housing. A court was even told Fikak was granted refugee status and benefits within six months.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
In August 2024, two months before they arrived on British shores, a 37-year-old woman alleges she was subject to a gang rape in the Danish city of Aarhus.
After meeting a migrant in a bar, the woman says she was taken to a flat where she was gang raped and filmed by three men over the course of six hours.
After reporting the act to the police, a 33-year-old Eritrean man was arrested and subsequently jailed for three years.
CCTV later obtained from a local shop identified two other suspects; Fikak and Tekleab. An international alert was then issued for the pair, along with photos, in September 2024.
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that Awedin Fikak was one of 973 migrants that crossed illegally on October 5, 2024, after he was arrested earlier this month
| PABut the pair had already made their way to northern France before they made the illegal crossing.
Both Fikak and Tekleab, who were part of 973 migrants who made a dinghy crossing to Britain on October 5, 2024, entered the asylum system and were given accommodation.
Fikak was arrested in Birmingham earlier this month, some 18 months after the vicious ordeal.
Notwithstanding, he still claimed his "human right to a family life" should block any extradition attempt, because he has a brother in London.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The alleged incident took place in Aarhus, Denmark's second largest city
|GETTY
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "That these men could arrive illegally and get refugee status and benefits while an alert was out for their arrest over vile crimes shows again Labour has lost control of our borders."
Both men now await trial in Denmark for gang rape.
Upon approving Fikak’s extradition to Denmark, District Judge Michael Snow said: "Fikak entered the UK in October 2024 from France on a small boat.
"In other words, he entered illegally. He states that he was granted refugee status about one year ago.
"He lives in shared accommodation. He is unemployed and in receipt of benefits."
A Home Office spokesman said: "Vile criminals have no place in the UK.
"Both individuals have been extradited to Denmark to face justice."
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter