Seven men charged in child sexual exploitation probe

Seven men have been charged with more than 40 offenses as part of an investigation into group-based child sexual abuse.

The men, aged between 19 and 26, were arrested during a police operation in Bristol on Tuesday and will appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

The charges relate to 11 victims, all of whom were teenagers at the time of the crimes, which reportedly occurred between 2022 and 2025.

This follows an investigation that began in November 2023 after concerns were raised about the sexual exploitation of a young girl.

Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Tom Herbert said it was a “complex and sensitive investigation based on the protection of young girls from exploitation”.

“Working with our partners, we have provided each victim with the most appropriate protection measures and support to protect them from harm.

“Officers are working around the clock to detect potential crimes and we have worked extremely closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to reach this extremely important stage,” he added.

Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the following details about the charges:

• Hussain Bashar, a British 19-year-old from Southmead, Bristol, has been charged with one count of rape.

• Mohamed Arafe, 19, a Syrian from Speedwell, Bristol, is charged with sexual assault, causing or encouraging the sexual abuse of a child and five counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual abuse of a child. He also faces charges relating to the supply of cocaine and ecstasy.

• Sina Omari, 20, who is Iranian and lives in Bristol Fishponds, is charged with two counts of rape, four counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual abuse of a child, taking indecent photographs of a child and supplying Class A drugs.

• Syrian Wadie Sharaf, 21, of Redland, Bristol, is also charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and sexual intercourse with a child.

• British Mohammed Kurdi, 21, of Henbury, Bristol, is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of arranging or facilitating the sexual abuse of a child and supplying ecstasy and cannabis.

• A 19-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with four counts of rape, arranging or facilitating the sexual abuse of a child, distributing an indecent photograph of a child and being concerned in the supply of ecstasy and cannabis.

• A 26-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has also been charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Spt Deepak Kenth, from Avon and Somerset Police, said neighborhood officers had supported the investigation since these crimes were first detected.

“We know this update will be a huge shock to our communities and I want to reassure everyone that we will continue to work tirelessly to protect children from abuse and exploitation,” he said.

“Working with our partner organisations, we have held events in Bristol city center and continue to work with hotels, taxi drivers and other businesses to raise awareness of signs of exploitation and the need to report any concerns or issues to the police.”

Department Ch James Bolton-Smith, leader of the organized child sexual abuse unit at the CPS, said they were working hard to establish that there was sufficient evidence to lay charges and that it was in the public interest for the criminal investigation to continue.

“We remind all concerned that the trial against the suspects is active and they have the right to a fair trial.

“It is vital that there is no news, commentary or sharing of information online that could undermine these operations in any way,” he said.