Former Imam gets life sentence for sexually abusing women in name of removing evil spirits

LONDON: A former imam who sexually abused women by making them believe he had spiritual powers has been sentenced to life in prison. The court has sentenced Abdul Halim Khan. The investigation found that he also raped a 12-year-old girl. He was charged with 21 charges, including rape.

Halim Khan raped seven between 2004 and 2015. Snaresbrook Crown Court in London ruled that Halim, 54, must serve a minimum of 20 years in prison before being eligible for parole. Police said he targeted Bangladeshi Muslim women and children in Tower Hamlets, London. Halim was the imam of a mosque in the area and had great influence there. The rapes took place in a deserted area and in the victims' homes. They were sexually abused under the guise of performing rituals to remove evil spirits. He also threatened the victims with consequences if revealed the information.

The first complaint against Haleem was filed in 2018. The victim, a school student, revealed to her teacher that Haleem had raped her. The police then launched an investigation, recorded the statements of more than 50 witnesses and examined more than 10 phones. However, Haleem denied the complaints. He claimed that it was a conspiracy against him. The court found him guilty in February this year.