Police charge seven Muslims.

Seven Muslims have been charged with child sexual exploitation offences. 

Seven Muslim men have been charged today (Tuesday 27 October) with child sexual exploitation offences as part of Operation Clover.

Four men have been charged with rape –
• Asif Ali, 30, of Clough Road, Rotherham
• Waleed Ali, 33, of Canklow Road, Rotherham
• Ishtiaq Khaliq, 32, of Cherry Brook, Rotherham
• Masoued Malik, 31, of Bridgewater Way, Rotherham

Waleed Ali is also charged with indecent assault and Ishtiaq Khaliq a further two charges of indecent assault.

Masoued Malik has also been charged with conspiracy to indecently assault and conspiracy to falsely imprison.

Mohammed Whied, 31, of Psalters Lane, Sheffield, has been charged with two counts of aidding and abetting rape.

Two defendants previously charged with multiple child sexual offences have also been charged as part of the ongoing investigation.

Arshid Hussain, 40, of High Street, East Cowick, Goole, and Basharat Hussan, 39, have each received a further charge of indecent assault. Basharat remains on remand at HMP Doncaster.

In addition, two men have been reported on summons.

Sageer Hussain, 30, of Cottingham Street, Goole, has been reported on summons for four counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.

Naeem Rafiq, 32, of Clarendon Road, Eastwood, has been reported on summons for conspiracy to indecently assault and conspiracy to falsely imprison.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Rotherham between January and October 2003.

All nine men will appear before Rotherham Magistrates’ Court on Monday 16 November.

The charges form part of Operation Clover, a partnership investigation by South Yorkshire Police, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Martin Tate, the senior investigating officer, said: “The latest charges today form part of the second phase of the Operation Clover investigation into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham.

“Operation Clover continues to investigate past child sexual abuse in Rotherham and we work alongside Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council and the Crown Prosecution Service to support victims and establish criminal prosecutions.

“Due to the complex nature of these investigations and the volume of material, it is important that these decisions are well considered and thorough.

“I want to encourage victims of these offences or anyone who feels vulnerable to contact South Yorkshire Police. We have a dedicated team that will listen and continue to gather evidence. Police officers are dedicated to supporting vulnerable people and we are passionate about increasing confidence in the police.

“It is vitally important to us that victims come forward so that we can explain the support available. More importantly, we will listen to what victims tell us and remain absolutely committed to providing the level of service they deserve.”