Asylum Seeker Claims Police Threatened Him in Brighton Rape Trial

One asylum seeker on trial for rape in Brighton claims police threatened him in his cell at 3 am. This is a key moment in the ongoing trial.
By Newsroom | Crime, UK |

Allegations of Cell Threats Surface in Court

An asylum seeker on trial for an alleged gang rape on Brighton beach has told a court that police officers threatened him in his cell at 3 am. Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, an Iranian national, testified through an interpreter that two officers demanded he sign a document, warning him of a seven-year prison sentence if he refused. Ahmadi stated his words had been altered and he felt intimidated during this nocturnal encounter.

Asylum seeker accused of gang raping woman on Brighton beach tells court he was threatened by police officers 'who turned up to his cell in the middle of the night' - 1

When challenged by prosecutor Hanna Llewellyn-Waters with the assertion, "You're lying, aren't you?", Ahmadi maintained his account. He confirmed to the court that he had informed his solicitor of the alleged threats. His solicitor, he said, had advised him to leave the matter for the time being, but Ahmadi insisted, "I want the jury to know everything."

Asylum seeker accused of gang raping woman on Brighton beach tells court he was threatened by police officers 'who turned up to his cell in the middle of the night' - 2

Llewellyn-Waters countered these claims, suggesting the document was a standard RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act) notice requiring a digital signature for phone access and dismissing the intimidation allegations as standard procedure.

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Asylum seeker accused of gang raping woman on Brighton beach tells court he was threatened by police officers 'who turned up to his cell in the middle of the night' - 3

Defendants Face Gang Rape Charges

Ahmadi, alongside Ibrahim Alshafe, 25, and Karin Al-Danasurt, 20, are accused of raping a woman on Brighton beach in the early hours of October 4, 2025. Alshafe and Ahmadi deny two counts of rape each. Al-Danasurt is accused of filming the incident, a charge he denies, stating he did not know he was being filmed and was reacting to a hand gesture from a friend.

Asylum seeker accused of gang raping woman on Brighton beach tells court he was threatened by police officers 'who turned up to his cell in the middle of the night' - 4

All three men were residents at the Cisswood House Hotel in Horsham, West Sussex, which served as Home Office-approved accommodation for asylum seekers at the time of the alleged offenses. The Home Office confirmed all three arrived in the UK via small boats and had pending decisions on their asylum claims.

Background to the Case

The trial commenced after the men, who are asylum seekers, were set to enter pleas at Brighton Law Courts. An earlier hearing in November 2025 was adjourned due to the unavailability of a Kurdish interpreter for Mr. Ahmadi. The incident on the Lower Esplanade was reported to Sussex Police around 5:00 AM BST on October 4, 2025. The alleged victims and defendants are known to each other. Another report from November 2025 indicated that one of the migrants had his asylum claim denied just one day before the alleged offense.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the asylum seeker on trial for rape in Brighton claim happened in his cell?
Abdulla Ahmadi, 26, told the court that two police officers came to his cell at 3 am and threatened him to sign a document, saying he would get seven years in prison if he refused. He felt his words were changed and he was scared.
Q: What did the prosecutor say about these claims?
The prosecutor, Hanna Llewellyn-Waters, suggested the document was a normal notice for phone access and that the intimidation claims were just standard procedure. She asked Ahmadi if he was lying.
Q: What are the asylum seekers accused of?
Abdulla Ahmadi, Ibrahim Alshafe, and Karin Al-Danasurt are accused of raping a woman on Brighton beach early on October 4, 2025. Alshafe and Ahmadi deny rape, and Al-Danasurt denies filming the incident.
Q: Where were the accused asylum seekers living at the time?
All three men were living at the Cisswood House Hotel in Horsham, West Sussex, which was used by the Home Office as accommodation for asylum seekers.
Q: Did any of the accused have a history with asylum claims?
The Home Office confirmed all three arrived in the UK by small boat and had asylum claims waiting to be decided. One report from November 2025 indicated one migrant had his asylum claim denied just one day before the alleged offense.