Afghan Nationals Sentenced for Gang Rape and Human Trafficking in Bristol

Four Afghan nationals have been sentenced to a combined total of 36 years for the gang rape and human trafficking of a 17-year-old girl in Bristol. Mehrab Safi, 21, received a 15-year sentence for two counts of rape and one of human trafficking. Salman Habibkheil, 19, was sentenced to nine years for one count of rape and one of human trafficking. Awal Ahmadzai, 19, received nine years for one count of rape and one of sexual assault. A 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be named due to his age, was sentenced to three years for one count of rape.

The attack occurred in November of the previous year. The victim met Safi while Christmas shopping in Bristol. Safi and Habibkheil arranged a taxi to bring her to Bristol, where she was given alcohol and cigarettes before the assault. The court heard that she was sexually assaulted and raped by the four men over several hours. The judge stated that the victim was left "broken beyond resistance" by the repeated assaults. "The cumulative trauma of these offences will undoubtedly live with her forever and is unimaginable," the judge remarked. The victim described the lasting impact of the attack, stating she is now "a different person" and that her anxiety has prevented her from pursuing her dream of working with children.

Following the attack, Safi, Ahmadzai, and Habibkheil attempted to flee the UK in December, filming themselves in the back of a lorry. The footage, captured while they were en route to Calais, shows them laughing and one individual taunting the camera. They were later apprehended by French authorities and returned to the UK. During the trial at Bristol Crown Court, jurors saw a video of the victim's police interview, where she recounted wanting to go home and feeling unsafe. The judge acknowledged that the defendants had also suffered trauma related to fleeing Afghanistan but stated this did not excuse their actions.

The victim's mother reported that her daughter is now anxious around individuals resembling the defendants and has lost trust in strangers. She expressed relief at the convictions, having feared the perpetrators might escape justice.