The trial of eight Afghan men accused of 42 offences against two teenage girls in Norwich, England, has been moved to London, with proceedings now expected to begin in May 2027.

The defendants face charges including rape, conspiracy to rape and human trafficking in connection with alleged offences spanning August 2023 to May 2025. The girls were in their early to mid-teens at the time of the alleged offences.

The 12-week trial was originally scheduled to begin at Norwich Crown Court on January 11, 2027. It will now take place at Southwark Crown Court from May 4, 2027, at the earliest.

The relocation follows concerns about Norwich Crown Court’s ability to accommodate all eight defendants, who remain in custody. The trial date and presiding judge have yet to be confirmed.

All eight men have denied the charges. They are being prosecuted following a police investigation into alleged group-based child exploitation in Norwich.

The defendants are Jamil Khalil, 21, of Dumbarton, Scotland; Ahmadin Ahmadzai, 21; Qais Kaker, 20; Fazal Auryakhel, 20; Mohammed Farooq Sinwary, 20; Ali Ahamad, 21; Sayed Wahid Daviodzai, 20, all of Norwich; and Bilal Shinwari, 20, of Bowthorpe.

The charges vary between defendants, ranging from individual rape allegations to multiple counts of rape, human trafficking and conspiracy. Shinwari was arrested in Ireland and returned to the United Kingdom in July.

According to the information provided by authorities, six of the men entered the UK in small boats, while the other two arrived concealed in vehicles.

Norfolk Police has stressed that none of the accused men lived in asylum hotels in Norfolk and that none of the alleged offences took place at such facilities.

Detective Superintendent Stacey Murray has said the safety and wellbeing of the victims remain the investigation’s primary concern.

She said a dedicated team was examining all available lines of inquiry and gathering evidence while taking account of the traumatic experiences of the victims.

The case is expected to be heard over approximately three months, with proceedings now scheduled to begin no earlier than May 2027.

The government based in eastern Libya has banned Afghan and Iranian nationals from entering areas under its control through land, sea and air entry points, according to Reuters.

The decision was announced late Wednesday, although authorities did not provide a reason for the restrictions.

The eastern administration has instructed its Interior Ministry to enforce the ban and deport Afghan and Iranian nationals who do not possess valid residence permits.

Exemptions will apply to members of accredited diplomatic and consular missions and their families. Afghans and Iranians working in the medical and education sectors may also qualify for exemptions, provided they hold valid work authorizations.

The latest restrictions follow similar measures introduced by the eastern administration in June, when it barred nationals of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Libya has served as a major transit route for migrants attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country has remained divided between rival administrations in the east and west since 2014.

According to United Nations data collected in June, more than 900,000 migrants are living in Libya.

The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan, emphasizing humanitarian assistance, human rights accountability and the continued work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

In a statement delivered during the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the EU stressed the importance of protecting the rights of Afghans, particularly women and young people, and ensuring their meaningful participation in shaping the country’s future.

The European Union said it has provided approximately €2 billion ($2.2 billion) in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan since 1994, including €320 million in 2024 and 2025.

The bloc also reiterated its support for UNAMA and international efforts to promote accountability for alleged human rights violations in Afghanistan.

The statement comes as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has maintained that human rights are being protected in the country in accordance with Sharia law.

The EU’s remarks underscore continuing international concerns over human rights and humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan, alongside its stated commitment to assisting the Afghan population.