Muhammed (24) from Syria and Khan (23) from Afghanistan followed a young Norwegian woman. Thereafter they pulled her into a car, drove her to a secluded school and gang-raped her behind the school. Now they weep in court and ask for forgiveness – after having denied criminal guilt and escaped from prison.

STAVANGER: Muhammed (24) from Syria and Khan (23) from Afghanistan stand indicted before Sør-Rogaland tingrett for aggravated rape, pursuant to the Penal Code (straffeloven) § 293 first paragraph, cf. § 291 second paragraph. The rape is regarded as aggravated because it was committed by several acting in concert.

The assault is said to have occurred during the night to Saturday 26 July 2025.

Followed the victim

The young woman was on her way home towards Storhaug after an evening in Stavanger city centre. Her friends had taken a taxi, and she was walking, alone.

Shortly beforehand the two men had randomly come into contact with her in the city centre. The Syrian had obtained her Snapchat username.

The woman explained in court that she would often provide contact information while out, as she could in any event block unwanted approaches later.

That was not what happened that night.

According to the indictment decision (tiltalebeslutningen), the two men followed the woman “in a planned manner”, “to her knowledge and also contrary to her expressly stated will”.

The Afghan followed her on foot, while Muhammed fetched the car – an Audi A4 at his disposal. He first picked up his friend, thereafter the woman.

Pulled her into the car

They pulled the woman into the car and drove to the rear of Godalen upper secondary school (videregående skole), a secluded place, where they parked.

According to the indictment, the two men refused to allow the woman to leave the car before she had sexual intercourse with both of them. She clearly expressed that she did not wish this, but the fear became so strong that she abandoned all resistance.

What followed was a prolonged and systematic rape in which both men assaulted her, while the other kept watch outside the car and prevented escape.

– She said that she did not want to

In court this week both accused changed their position and acknowledged criminal guilt for aggravated rape – after having denied criminal guilt entirely until the trial commenced on Monday.

In questioning Muhammed had claimed that he was not even in Stavanger on the evening in question.

In court the tone was different. According to Stavanger Aftenblad the Syrian said, choking with tears:

– I apologise. Truly! I apologise for having hurt you. I have never done anything like this before. Can you forgive me?

Khan explained that he had had sex with the aggrieved party (fornærmede) in “ignorance”.

– What do you mean by that? asked Public Prosecutor (statsadvokat) Birgitte Budal Løvlund.

– That I thought wrongly. I thought that since she had sex with the other, then it was acceptable.

– Did you understand that she did not want to?

– Yes. She said that she did not want to, replied the Afghan.

Escaped from prison

Both accused reside at the same address in Sandnes and have been held in pre-trial detention (varetektsfengslet) since their arrest on account of risk of absconding.

That was not unfounded: Shortly after the arrest one of the accused escaped from Åna prison (Åna fengsel), and attempted to escape again after he was re-arrested in Bosnia.

The Syrian national who escaped has an extensive criminal record. He has also been refused citizenship in Norway as a consequence of penal reactions. Although he has parents resident in Norway, he has much family outside the country’s borders, Document is informed through court documents from August 2025.

Traced through Snapchat

The police’s rapid clearance of the case was due to the aggrieved party’s efforts. She filmed one of the assailants while he followed her, and shared the video on Snapchat. Muhammed had also sent her a snap which was rejected.

Minutes after the rape the woman called the police emergency number. Through the contact on social media the police identified the suspects, and both were arrested within a few hours.

The statutory penalty for aggravated rape is up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Counsel for the aggrieved party (bistandsadvokat) Inger Marie Sunde has, on behalf of the aggrieved party, entered a claim for compensation for non-pecuniary damage (oppreisningserstatning). Both accused have stated that they are willing to pay.

– Yes, I am. For it was my fault, said the Syrian in court.

The accused Syrian previously escaped from pre-trial detention in Åna prison. The police were particularly concerned that he would abscond, as he has a “fragile attachment to the realm” (skjør tilknytning til riket).