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Edinburgh Court Cuts Afghan Asylum Seeker's Rape Sentence to Eight

5/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh reduced Rapualla Ahmadze’s sentence for raping a 17-year-old in Cooper Park, Elgin, from nine years to eight years.
Lord Matthews and Lady Wise said the original nine-year term was excessive.
Ahmadze, an Afghan asylum seeker, claimed he was an escaped Taliban prisoner and described the act as consensual.
He was also convicted of threatening or abusive behaviour.

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Story summary

The Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh reduced Rapualla Ahmadze’s sentence for raping a 17-year-old in Cooper Park, Elgin, from nine years to eight years.
Lord Matthews and Lady Wise said the original nine-year term was excessive.
Ahmadze, an Afghan asylum seeker, claimed he was an escaped Taliban prisoner and described the act as consensual.
He was also convicted of threatening or abusive behaviour.