Rapualla Ahmadze, a 22-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Cooper Park, Elgin. The attack took place in the early hours when Ahmadze forced the teenager into the bushes, pushed her to the ground, and committed two separate sexual assaults.
Ahmadze denied the charges, claiming the encounter was consensual. However, the High Court in Edinburgh convicted him, rejecting his claims and upholding the rape conviction.
The original sentence handed down was nine years, but appeal judges Lord Matthews and Lady Wise ruled that this term was excessive. They reduced Ahmadze’s sentence by one year, bringing it down to eight years.
The victim suffered severe psychological and physical effects as a result of the attack, including flashbacks, nightmares, and injury. The trauma was so significant that she was forced to abandon her studies, highlighting the devastating impact of the crime.
Following the completion of his prison term, Ahmadze may face deportation from the UK. Authorities are expected to make a decision regarding his immigration status after he serves his sentence.
Originally published by UKNIP.
