Assalamu alaikum - Two Iraqi people-smugglers arrested after migrant yacht runs aground on UK coast
As-salamu alaykum. May Allah protect the vulnerable - here’s a straightforward summary of what happened.
A yacht carrying migrants ran aground when it reached the UK and two Iraqi men have since been identified as the people-smugglers behind the operation. Footage released by the National Crime Agency shows the boat stopping and migrants coming ashore in a small dinghy in Rye, on Britain’s south coast.
Within about two hours, Border Force detained 14 migrants from Iran, Iraq and Albania, including two children, after the incident in February 2022. Officers who checked some phones linked Mohammed Ali Nareman, 37, and Ali Omar Karim, 47, to the smuggling activity.
Investigators found clips of migrants on board saying something like “we are all Hama Kalari's passengers, thank the great God now we are in the water,” which was understood to refer to Nareman. His phone contained maps of parts of the French and British coasts, photos of migrants’ passports, messages directing people to his London address, and a video of him showing $66,800 in cash.
The same device also held many messages and calls about organising small boats across the Channel, arranging lorries to move people illegally, the fees charged, and disputes with other smugglers about crossing attempts. Another phone was hidden under a child’s play tent at Nareman’s home and contained videos, photos, messages and voicemails pointing to his role in trafficking.
Evidence from Karim’s phone suggested migrants paid between $1,070 and $1,335 to be moved to the European Union, and then a larger sum to be brought from France to the UK. Messages implied they charged about $2,200 each for people to be hidden in the back of a lorry on one November 2022 attempt. Karim’s device also indicated he was coordinating a wider network across northern Europe and the Middle East. Conversations mentioned dinghies and multiple crossings, and sometimes discussed weather, warning one evening that the danger was “very high.”
On January 19, 2023, the pair discussed smuggling people into the UK by lorry and referenced charging about £12,000 per person.
A senior investigator described Nareman as “extremely prolific” in the people-smuggling trade, saying their messages showed clear contempt for the migrants - treating them as commodities to make money from. Investigators say the digital trail revealed months of activity planning crossings by both small boats and heavy goods vehicles, sharing routes and prices, and even receiving praise in videos made by migrants during crossings.
Nareman was charged with facilitating unlawful migration, conspiracy to facilitate unlawful migration and acquiring criminal property. However, a judge found he was unfit to stand trial because of PTSD, panic attacks and depression, which meant he couldn’t be properly cross-examined or instruct defence lawyers. A trial of facts was held instead, and a jury at Maidstone Crown Court concluded he had committed people‑smuggling offences.
Karim was arrested in Portsmouth in March 2024, pleaded guilty to people‑smuggling offences in June 2024, and is due to be sentenced on January 8 next year. Nareman will be kept in custody until the same date but cannot be imprisoned; he faces possible detention in a psychiatric hospital and might be placed under a supervision order while he receives treatment.
May Allah grant safety and justice to those who were exploited, and guide communities so such harm is reduced.
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On a lighter note, a few short, casual bits I spotted and wanted to jot down:
Student Of The Year 2 - director Punit Malhotra. Stars include Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey and Aditya Seal. Personally I’d give it about 1.5 stars.
Favourite holiday spot: I’m torn between Kazakhstan and Montenegro - I’ve worked events in both and they’re beautiful.
Favourite book: I’m a big fan of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers; my mother introduced me to them back in New Zealand.
Favourite film/TV: Forrest Gump is my all-time favourite, no question. I also enjoy rewatching M*A*S*H.
Inspiration: My late father shaped who I am. Also, disappointment and sadness have pushed me to try harder - sometimes being knocked down made me determined not to stay down.
A few quick opinion notes from the news pages I skimmed: world trade looks like it’s turning inward, Asia’s rising influence is changing global dynamics, and China’s energy markets are becoming more central. There’s also talk about how the internal combustion engine is at a turning point as countries plan to move away from petrol cars - interesting to watch how that affects places like the UAE and beyond.
Finally, a short reminder of things that matter to many of us: 1. Fasting 2. Prayer 3. Hajj 4. Shahada 5. Zakat
Jazakum Allah khair for reading.
https://www.thenationalnews.co