A court in London, the capital of the United Kingdom, has sentenced Abdul Halim Khan, the former imam of a mosque, to life imprisonment for the sexual assault and abuse of seven women and girls, including a twelve-year-old girl. The Crown Court at Snaresbrook announced on Thursday that he must serve at least twenty years in prison.
Sky News reported that Abdul Halim Khan, a resident of East London, abused his position as a trusted religious leader to harm multiple women and girls. London police stated that these crimes occurred between 2004 and 2015.
Abdul Halim Khan was found guilty in February on 21 charges. These charges included nine counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual assault of a child under thirteen, five counts of rape of a child under thirteen, and one count of sexual exploitation.
Lesley Cutbert, the judge in the case, said at sentencing that Abdul Halim Khan had, behind a mask of righteousness and sanctity, severely abused women who had trusted him. She added that the defendant brazenly raped and sexually assaulted seven women and girls, including children and adolescents, believing he would never be punished.
The judge also stated that he was confident the victims would not report him due to shame and fear, and even if they did, no one would believe them. According to the judge, Abdul Halim Khan exploited the religious trust of the public.
One of the victims, who was a child at the time of the incidents, told the court in a statement that he did not consider her human and described him as the embodiment of evil. She added that the defendant used lies and threats to force her into silence and that his actions had instilled fear that affected her entire life.
Another victim, also a child at the time, said that Abdul Halim Khan exploited her religious beliefs and vulnerability, frightening her into remaining silent.
The UK’s prosecuting authorities stated that the defendant would lure victims to isolated locations such as apartments and secluded areas, where he would then commit rape or sexual assault. He also claimed to possess jinn and supernatural powers, coercing victims into secrecy through fear of harm.
According to London police, the case began in 2018 when one of the victims confided in her teacher. Abdul Halim Khan denied all charges in conversations with the police, claiming the case was a conspiracy and that the victims had made the allegations out of revenge.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
