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Rochdale grooming gang members to be stripped of UK citizenship, face deportation to Pakistan
Three men convicted of grooming girls for sex in a case that fuelled racial tensions in Britain face deportation to Pakistan after an appeals court upheld a government decision to strip them of British citizenship, The Guardian reported on Wednesday.
The ruling by the Court of Appeal clears the way for the men, all of Pakistani nationality, to be removed from Britain and be possibly deported to Pakistan. They had acquired British citizenship by naturalisation.
Abdul Aziz, Adil Khan and Qari Abdul Rauf were among nine men of Pakistani and Afghan descent convicted of luring girls as young as 13 into sexual encounters using alcohol and drugs. They were based in Rochdale, in northern England.
Read: The fate of migrants and Muslims in post-Brexit Britain
The three men were jailed in May 2012 but were later released on licence. The gang's ringleader, Shabir Ahmed, was sentenced to 22 years in jail and remains in custody.
Aziz, Khan and Rauf were convicted on conspiracy and trafficking for sexual exploitation charges. Aziz was not convicted of having sexual intercourse with any child.
The case centres on a decision by Prime Minister Theresa May, when she was home secretary, to strip the men’s citizenship “for the public good”.
The men had challenged the government decision at two immigration tribunals, arguing revoking their citizenship would violate their human right to a family life, as they have children living in the UK. Their appeals were dismissed.
The convicts then approached the Court of Appeal, senior judges of which ruled on Wednesday that the previous tribunals had made a "proper and lawful assessment" of the likelihood of deportation.
Also read: Brides for sale: Pakistani men involved in trafficking for sham marriages
A person can be deprived of British citizenship for the public good on the grounds of “involvement in terrorism, espionage, serious organised crime, war crimes or unacceptable behaviours”.
After serving their sentences, the three convicts will have a further legal right to appeal their deportation and the process could take months, according to the BBC.
It quoted a Home Office spokeswoman as saying: "This was an appalling case. We welcome the court's finding and will now consider next steps."
The five victims of the gang who gave evidence in the 2012 trial were all white, and spoke of being raped, assaulted and traded for sex, being passed from man to man, and sometimes being too drunk to stop the abuses.
The men, ranging in age from 22 to 59, used various defences, including claiming the girls were prostitutes.
Comments (152) Closed
shame shame shame
After deportation , these culprits must be sent to jails for their shameful act .
When they arrive lock them up declare them sexual offenders. We cannot let them freely move around.
If they are born and bred there then they have nothing to do with our country and Britian should deal with them on their own.
Before deportations, they should have been put into jail atleast for 10 years each.
Sir
Hope that the PTI government will keep an eye on this paedophile ring so that they do not do the same in Pakistan!!!
Thanks
No thank you, we dont need anymore of these lowlifes.
Why are these criminals being sent to Pakistan. The British government made these thugs British citizens, they should keep them in their own jails
UK must keep their trash to themselves...…………….
Pakistan must do the same. These beasts have no right to be associated with Pakistan.
Why deport now to Pakistan? they are now British citizen. Pakistan would be fooled to take them back. They are convicted criminals.
It does not suit these men to talk of 'human rights'. Those who insult humanity itself through such heinous crimes, deserve the harshest possible punishment.
These rapists, abusers, exploits from Rochdale and Rotherham should be punished severely. And not only the Uk but Pakistan should also strip their citizenship. Curse on them of whose hands those innocent children had to suffer so violently. Pakistan also needs to learn from the Uk law and judicial system how to serve justice to the wronged ones.
Qari Abdul shame on you!
Please send them back. This would send a very strong message to Pakistanis in UK and Europe and they'll think long and hard before attempting any such crime.
Good decision
We don't need them back better keep them in prison
Why to send them to Pakistan? They were UK citizens when the committed the crime and crime was committed in UK. Punish them whatsoever you want to do but Pakistan is not an open jail where you can throw your criminals. T
Pakistan must strip their nationality on same grounds..
Good move and shame on such people, who are disgrace for Pakistan and conduct or part of criminal acts. I suggest when these tugs come home then send them in prison - remember, overseas Pakistanis represent their religion, culture and country in a foreign land and should behave honorably!
Plz don’t send them to the clean land ie. Pakistan they must be put in prison for the rest of their life for crimes against Britain and humanity.
They should not be allowed back in Pakistan. If they come back, they should be thrown into the jail for the rest of their lives. They have brought shame to the country.
Like India, It's time Pakistan should discontinue with dual citizenship policy and allow single nationality only.
Shameful act. Deserves severe punishment.
No country want criminals.
Bring these fiends back to Pakistan, lock them up and throw away the key. Rubbish human beings.
If at all these hardcore criminals land in Pakistan, they should be kept off the streets of Pakistan and into some lifelong detention camp.
Very evil people indeed and they bring shame to the community. I think a tough stance by the government will hopefully deter others.
Dear UK, these criminals are a product of your society, why are you sending criminals to Pakistan? Not defending their horrible crime but what law in constitution allows you to strip someone of citizenship!? Keep them in your jails as they are the product of your society.
These guys are embarrassment for Pakistan, they should not be accepted here.
These animals should be trialed in Pakistan for alleged heinous crime.
Send them to Pakistan. We will give them exemplary punishment which Britain cannot give!
we dont want them either, keep em
@Zak totally agree there.
These people are product of British society and are not Pakistanis. Pakistan should refuse to accept them as they relinquished their Pakistani nationality to take British.
Pakistan should strip them of Pakistani citizenship before Britain do.
Pakistan should no accept them as anyone changes his loyalty to other nations. Why Pakistan should accept their criminals when they protect our criminals in their country
Its an irony that such beasts then claim to be humans and seek relief under the garb of " Human Rights". They don't even deserve Animal Rights. Why didn't they think of their own children before trapping others kids for their sinful gratification.
how are they pakistanis? pakistan should refuse deportation
To those saying that these people must be locked up: they should be dealt according to the law of the land. If they've served their required sentences then they've served their punishments.
What is legal side here if Pakistan refuses to allow them entry ?
Well done British government. These people should be charged and prisoned when they arrive in Pakistan.
Pakistan should not accept them on arrival.
They should stay where they are. We dont welcome foreign criminals here.
@Awan Sahib Please read properly They acquired citizenship through naturalisation...
@Awan Sahib They are born in Pakistan, naturalized British Citizen, that is why they are facing deportation.
They will do the same in Pakistan.
They left Pakistan, we are not taking any rubbish unless they also give us Brahmdad, Altaf Hussain and all other cronies visiting or settled in UK
@Awan Sahib : They were born in Pakistan.
They should deport their families as well. That would be a better deterent.
@Karachiwala : they are Pakistani people who acquired a citizenship.
The Pakistani govt has been asking for one British citizen to be deported but they refuse and keep their blue eyed boy who has spread more trouble in our biggest city than these low lives what a contrast .
Why can’t they be stripped off Pakistani nationality
I live in the U.K. And these gangs have tarnished our name as Pakistanis, hope they get deported and jailed in Pakistan.
Pakistan must not accept them back unless UK govt also hand over Hasan Hussain Dar and Altaf Hussain with them.
Good decision by the appeal court. There stay in UK could bring more bad name for Pakistan.
These people give Pakistan a bad name and do irreperable damage.
Shameful . Why should Pakistan accept them? Are Pakistani children less important than British, that they can be exposed to these criminals? They should be simply arrested on arrival /deportation to Pakistan and locked up permanently as a clear public danger.
@Zubair they originate from your land.
They are now British Nationals, so why do Pakistan have to take them in?. Why can't Pakistan say that they are no longer Pak Nationals. We don't want this rubbish in Pakistan, let the Brits deal with them
@Awan Sahib they are not born there they are naturalized citizens
They should be in jail
Pakistan should strip them of Pakistani nationality 'now' so as these unsavoury rejects cannot be deported to Pakistan.
Pakistan should prosecute them for giving Pakistanis a bad name.
And they should spend the rest of their lives in jail.
Evil child raping monsters
sick people.
Why only particular nationality is involved in grooming
We dont want them.
On arriving in Pakistan send them straight to jail as we don't have any space for rapists
Pak should accept these criminals on one condition that "UK returns Altaf Hussain too". No ifs , No buts...
Stripping citizenship is not enough. They should be locked up for life.
The new government should issue instructions to all Pakistani missions abroad, as a 'standard procedure' to 'log' all dual nationals committing heinous crimes abroad of being stripped of Pakistani nationality!
There were more then a thousand victims.
@KAJ Agree with you totally, but sadly you can't sentence twice for the same crime, they are already in jail in UK, Shameless people.
would violate their human right to a family life, as they have children living in the UK...what about the dignity and human rights of the children who were mercilessly exploited. Their families are sacred and others are expendable.
Pakistani courts will set them free, we all know the performance of all courts in Pakistan being used for political victimization
These men brought shame to all of Southasian people, They should be taught a lesson before deport them.
Unless threse devils are dual Pak-British Citizens, Pakistani government can simply refuise to accept them or decline to recognize their right of abode in Pakistan. Nothing more to it it, according to the law.
They deserve more severe punishment, an exemplary one, and then deportation, they should face another trial back in home country.
Keep them in UK. We don't want criminals in our country. If UK want to deport they could deport some tax payers back to us rather then those who will burdanize our society.
No, Pak should not accept these criminals back. Pak must not become a criminal dumping ground for UK or any other country. They committed crimes as UK citizens and since UK gave them citizenship, they are now UK’s responsibility. Please Pak grow a spine and fight back. Under no circumstances Pak should accept these men back.
Strip them of pakistani nationality. Lets see what UK can do about it
Strip them of their Pakistani citizenship as well rendering them stateless.
@Tasadiq good point
Why should they be deported? They are british citizens. UK must own them! This is a mockery.
Why Pakistan - they should be put back on the same flight back to UK.
They are not pakistani and pakistan must nit allow them into the coubtry. They are beasts and not our problem...our children must be safe
Can the image of Pakistan get worse than what it is already. Pakistanis face bad treatment at all airports in the world including middle east.
Cancel his Pakistani citizenship too. We don’t want UK crooks in Pakistan.
These disgraceful low-lying characters must serve strong jail terms in UK and then be stripped off their UK citizenship and finally deported to the country of their origin to be locked up forever.
Once they are citizens, UK should take responsibility to make sure they get their punishments in UK. Removing citizenship's, deporting may not get them the required punishments and if they somehow get freed, chances are they will repeat their crimes in another society.
@Vedic well that's just not true. Pedophiles exist in all parts of the world. Don't talk nonsense
@Adnan read the article
@Awan Sahib.Any individual born and brought up in UK can't be stripped of the original nationality. These individuals were not born in UK.You need to visit Britain to see things with your own eyes. Such cases are happening on regular basis and unfortunately people from Pakistan are always involved.
Pakistan should not repatriate criminals from any country!!
no place for rapists in Pk. Send them to hell.
@Awan Sahib They were naturalized citizens, which means that they were not born there.
@Awan Sahib they hold dual nationality
These rapists and pedophiles should not be allowed back to Pakistan.
Imagine what crimes they could commit in Pakistan and pay they way out of any trouble
I will make some contribution towards the cost including their ride to a jail in Pakistan.
The UK should stop conferring citizenship to immigrants of Pakistani descent.
Can Pakistan refuse to take them? I wonder how the law works in these type of cases.
@Awan Sahib Did you read the article?
Don't send them back, keep them, throw them in jail and throw away the key, people like that do not need to ever have freedom.
Once they arrive in Pakistan, lock them up for good. Strange, though, that Britain has chosen only to deport them and not apply any other sort of punishments. Does this mean that dual citizens need only worry about deportation while those born there would face jail time? Unless, the UK has cut a deal with Pakistan about other punishment these men will face in Pakistan?
we dont want trash
@Awan Sahib what part of citizenship by naturalization do you not understand?
Pakistan should right away strip them off Pakistani citizenship and block their entry to Pakistan. These guys are Britain’s responsibility and we shouldn’t become a dumpsite for criminals.
Why is it always men from Punjab involved in these atrocities? They have ruined the Pakistani reputation all over the world
Why can Pakistan also not strip them of their passport?
When they became UK citizens, didn’t they give up their Pak citizenship? Shouldn’t be our problem now... throw them in the sea for all I care!
Britain should have put them behind bars for life.
If they have committed a crime in the UK, they should be jailed in the UK. Why Pakistani government is allowing them to be returned to Pakistan? British government cannot pick and choose the smart and productive mind and send back the bad eggs. If they had given them the nationality they have to deal with them. We dont want any sex offenders in Pakistan.
Don’t take them back. Let UK dump them in the sea. THRere is no reason why Pakistan should take them back. After all they abandoned citizenship.
There is no place for them in Pakistan or anywhere in this world.
Do not take them back.
They are British citizens born and bred there why should we host their problems....
They should send them to Australia, as per the tradition.
Pakistan is the perfect destination for them. I'm sure they won't object.
And you wonder why the West does not like The Pakistanis!
@Awan Sahib The article says that they are naturalized citizen which means, born in Pakistan.
@Gmb Pakistan allows dual citizenship... meaning once Pakistani becomes citizen of another country, they do not give up Pakistani citizenship unless the host country does not allow dual citizenship.
@Karachiwala They were born in Pakistan and became British while retaining Pakistani citizenship ... same way many crooked politicians.
Thus, you saying that they are product of British society is a lame argument.
Pakistan Government must punish them so that others do not do shameful acts. They are the black spot on Pakistan and must be sent to jail for life.
Why should Pakistan accept these criminals? Why only people who are risk to British society can be sent back but not individuals who have plundered millions are not stripped of British nationality? We should also strip them of Pakistani nationality and not allowed to land in Pakistan!
Britain should give them capital punishment and finish the matter, for their own citizens. Pakistan should not accept them, no longer Pakistani citizens.
Should not sent these people to Pakistan as it will worsen the appalling situation of Child abuse here. Govt does not have any effective system in place here to deal with such people. We fear this will be bad for all nations and these criminals should languish in British jails.
Which province of Pakistan they hail from, please?
@Adnan
They arrived in England on a Pakistani Passport.
They will leave England on a Pakistani Passport.
Pakistan should not accept these British citizens.
Pakistan must refuse to take these sexual predators. They do not deserve to be wqlking freely among our daughters and sisters.
They should serve their sentence in the country (UK) where they committed them before deportation.
ROTHERHAM, ROCHDALE, TELFORD, LUTON, BRADFORD... you name any UK town.. pakistanis are involved in violent crimes on children
@Awan Sahib they are naturalised citizens meaning they are pakistanis first
We don't want them either. They should be arrested on arrival and locked up.
@khabboo But they do carry dual citizenships
@Awan Sahib - please re-read article. They got citizenship through naturalization. Throw them in jail as soon as they reach Pakistan. These people cannot be allowed to loiter in general public.
@Zubair They are dual national and citizenship through naturalisation is stripped everywhere in the world.
Do we have to take them?
Put them in U.K.jail for a long term. If deported to Pakistan these unwanted people would be more active here.
@Zubair they have dual nationality.
Just put them on a boat and leave them at sea.
@Awan Sahib read the article carefully before commenting on it. They were born and raised in Pakistan and still hold Pakistani nationalities.
Pakistan govt should not take them back if they are British citizens.
There is no way Pak govt should allow them to be sent to Pak. They belong in British jails. The fact Britain gave them citizenship does not mean that the British government has right to sent them to the country of their birth.
@Imran Raza they have dual citizen and yes they born in Pakistan they are you’re trash
@Awan Sahib Please read news again. They acquired British citizenship by naturalisation and born and raised in Pakistan
@Qaisrani These low life are pakistani
what if Pakistan refused to accept them? They should not be accepted.
@Imran Raza Citizenship is only birth right of those who are born in UK. UK law bestow citizen ship and can take it back for all other who migrated to UK
Pakistan should cancel their nationality on an urgent basis (if they have dual citizenship). We do not need sexual predators roaming our streets. UK can do what ever they want with these criminals.
@Bilal Khan ahmad how are you clean?
Those saying that Pakistan should cancel their citizenship, should realize that if that is allowed than Pakistan can cancel anyone's citizenship, including those born in Pakistan, and make them stateless. No country does that. If you are born in some country, you are their natural born citizen, and that citizenship can not be stripped off. It is your birth right to that citizenship.