Two small-boat migrants were welcomed into Britain and given asylum – despite being wanted for gang rape in Denmark.
Danish police issued an international alert for Awedin Fikak and Henok Tekleab, both Eritreans aged 27, complete with their pictures before they even made their journey across the Channel in October 2024.
But, raising questions about checks done on those coming into the UK, officials handed them taxpayers’ cash and free housing.
Fikak was granted refugee status and benefits within six months, a court was told.
When he was belatedly arrested in Birmingham three weeks ago, he shamelessly claimed his ‘human right to a family life’ should block extradition as he has a brother in London.
Astonishingly, it was not until Thursday, after almost 18 months in Britain supported by the taxpayer, that both men were back in Denmark to face justice.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘That these men could arrive illegally and get refugee status and benefits while an alert was out for their arrest over vile crimes shows again Labour has lost control of our borders.’
The horrific case began in Denmark’s second-largest city, Aarhus, in August 2024. A local woman, 37, met a migrant in a bar and ended up imprisoned in a flat, where she was gang-raped by three men over six hours, which they filmed, she told police.
Awedin Fikak (pictured) was one of 973 migrants who made a dinghy crossing to Britain on October 5, 2024, Westminster magistrates in London heard after he was finally arrested earlier this month
Henok Tekleab, 27, (pictured) also Eritrean arrived by dinghy and secured the same taxpayer-funded support. Alongside Fikak, he was extradited to Denmark to face justice for his crime
Her ordeal only ended when she escaped. One Eritrean man, 33, was swiftly charged, convicted, and jailed for three years, with an order he be deported from Denmark and banned from returning.
It was some days before CCTV footage of two other suspects, Fikak and Tekleab, was obtained from a convenience store near the scene.
A spokesman for East Jutland police in Denmark said an international alert was issued in September 2024, complete with the pair’s names and pictures.
But by then Fikak and Tekleab had fled for northern France, from where they made the journey across the Channel to Britain.
Fikak was one of 973 migrants who made a dinghy crossing to Britain on October 5, 2024, Westminster magistrates in London heard after he was finally arrested earlier this month.
Fikak swiftly entered the asylum system, and was given accommodation and funds. Tekleab also arrived by dinghy and secured the same taxpayer-funded support.
Approving Fikak’s extradition to Denmark, District Judge Michael Snow noted: ‘Fikak entered the UK in October 2024 from France on a small boat.
‘In other words, he entered illegally. He states that he was granted refugee status about one year ago.
‘He lives in shared accommodation. He is unemployed and in receipt of benefits.’
Both Eritreans now finally await trial for gang rape in Denmark, after Fikak was flown back to Copenhagen on Thursday.
Tekleab was sent back in February after his arrest in December.
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘Vile criminals have no place in the UK.
‘Both individuals have been extradited to Denmark to face justice.’
A source familiar with the case explained: ‘The Danish certainly had put a notice out – but the Home Office was not aware of it when Fikak and Tekleab entered the asylum system, and asylum support automatically followed.’
