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Two Afghan men have appeared in court in connection with the kidnap and rape of a 12-year-old girl. Ahmad Mulakhil faces three rape charges and sexual assault, while Mohammad Kabir is accused of kidnap, strangulation and aiding and abetting the rape of a girl under 13.

The Afghanistan nationals, both aged 23, denied the charges when they appeared at Warwick Crown Court on Thursday. The pair, flanked by Farsi and Pashto interpreters and dressed in matching grey jumpers and jogging bottoms, spoke only to confirm their names and pleas during the 40-minute hearing. Mulakhil is charged with rape, one count of anal rape and one of oral rape, on the evening of Tuesday, July 22 in Nuneaton, Warks.

The charge sheet, which was read out in court, added he also "intentionally touched a child under the age of 13 and the touching was sexual, namely that you sucked her neck leaving her with love bites."

Kabir is charged with kidnap, strangulation and aiding and abetting the rape of a girl under the age of 13.

Mulakhil and Kabir, both of no fixed address, were remanded in custody and ordered to return to court in November.

Judge Kristina Montgomery fixed a trial date for January 26, 2026, estimating the case will last five days.

Before an earlier hearing last month, Warwickshire County Council Reford leader George Finch alleged the two men were asylum seekers.

Warwickshire Police have only confirmed they are both from Afghanistan.

Outside the court in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, around five protesters displayed a banner which said: "Remigration Now."

Another man waved a placard, painted with the words: "Protect our girls."

Mulakhil was represented by Blondelle Thompson while Kabir was represented by Alison Gurden.