Small boat migrants slip through the Channel with dark secret
Two Eritrean men, Awedin Fikak and Henok Tekleab, both 27, crossed the English Channel by small boat on 5 October 2024. They were granted asylum, given taxpayer-funded benefits, and housed in the UK – all while being wanted over a horrific gang rape in Denmark.
Danish police had issued an alert months before
Back in September 2024, Danish police released an international alert with photos of the men, linking them to the brutal August assault in Aarhus. A 37-year-old woman was held captive for six hours and gang-raped by three men, an attack that was even filmed.
UK is unaware as suspects received benefits
A third suspect, aged 33 and also Eritrean, was already jailed in Denmark for the crime. UK authorities later arrested both Fikak and Tekleab. Tekleab was extradited in February 2026, with Fikak following more recently after being caught in Birmingham.
The Home Office admitted it did not know the Danish alert when the men entered the asylum system, meaning benefits and accommodation were automatically granted.
