Six men have pleaded not guilty to historical charges of child abuse and rape in Cardiff Crown Court. The charges stem from allegations of sexual abuse and rape of children in the 1980s and 1990s, as part of Gwent Police's Operation Oak investigation.
Nine men, aged between 54 and 76, were arrested in July in connection with the investigation. All defendants are British citizens. The six men who entered not guilty pleas on Friday were granted conditional bail. A trial date has been set for January 2028, with an expected duration of up to 20 weeks.
Those who entered pleas include Shafaq Mohammed, 58, of Birmingham, who denied six counts of rape, one count of buggery without consent, two counts of aiding and abetting rape, and two counts of causing prostitution. Syed Mohammad Ashan Taqvi, 65, of Newport, pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape.
Three of the nine men who appeared in court have yet to enter pleas.