An imam accused of committing sexual assaults against women and girls through the use of threats related to black magic is now facing imprisonment. Abdul Halim Khan, aged 54, posed as a spiritual leader in Tower Hamlets, located in east London. Khan manipulated his victims by claiming to have supernatural abilities and warned them about being possessed by a Jinn, a supernatural being in Islamic belief.
He coerced the victims, some as young as 12, into meeting him in secluded places and used the threat of black magic to silence them from speaking out. Khan’s wrongful acts came to light when his youngest victim confided in a teacher at her school in 2017, leading to his arrest. During the investigation, Metropolitan Police interviewed over 50 witnesses, ultimately resulting in Khan’s conviction on 21 charges of rape, sexual assault, and child sexual offenses against seven women and girls between 2004 and 2015 at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Following the verdict, one of the victims expressed gratitude towards the Met’s investigative team for helping rebuild trust. The victim spoke about the long-lasting impact of the abuse, emphasizing the importance of coming forward and receiving support. Detective Sergeant Sara Yems, who spearheaded the inquiry, praised the courage of the seven women who bravely reported the abuse and emphasized the commitment to combating violence against women and girls in London.
Specialist Prosecutor Melissa Garner condemned Khan’s abuse of power as an Imam and highlighted the severe consequences of his actions on the victims. The Crown Prosecution Service commended the victims for their bravery in coming forward and stressed the determination to pursue justice for those exploited by individuals like Khan. The public was encouraged to report instances of sexual abuse and violence to the authorities for support and intervention.
