Britain’s asylum system is under fire after two men wanted for gang rape in Denmark were granted refugee status and claimed taxpayer-funded benefits – even though an international police alert was out before they entered the UK.
Asylum Chaos: How Did They Get In?
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the fiasco, saying it proves “Labour has lost control of our borders.” Awedin Fikak and Henok Tekleab, both 27 and Eritrean nationals, lived on public funds for up to 18 months before being extradited.
Despite Danish police issuing an international warrant with photos in September 2024, the Home Office missed the alert when the pair crossed the Channel in October 2024 and entered the UK asylum system.
Horrific Crime Behind the Headlines
The case stems from a savage attack in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, where a 37-year-old woman was locked in a flat and gang-raped for six hours by three men, who filmed the assault. One of the men was swiftly convicted and jailed, but the hunt for the other two – Fikak and Tekleab – took months.
By the time Denmark’s East Jutland police flagged the suspects, the pair had already fled to northern France and crossed into Britain, amidst 973 migrants on the same day.
Living the Asylum Dream on Benefits
- Fikak received refugee status within six months, plus accommodation and financial support.
- Tekleab was granted asylum and benefits after arriving by dinghy later.
- Both men remained unemployed and on the state’s dole.
When arrested, Fikak tried to claim a “human right to family life” to block deportation because his brother lives in London. But District Judge Michael Snow rejected the plea, pointing out that Fikak entered illegally and lives off benefits.
Justice Finally Served
Tekleab was arrested in December and extradited to Denmark in February, while Fikak was flown back last Thursday. A source revealed the Home Office wasn’t aware of the Danish warrant when the two joined the asylum system, thus automatic support was granted.
A Home Office spokesman said: “Vile criminals have no place in the UK. Both individuals have been extradited to Denmark to face justice.”
