A member of the British army walks past a perimeter fence at the Olympic Park in Stratford
A member of the British army walks past a perimeter fence at the Olympic Park in Stratford (Reuters)

Three Jordanian athletes facing a string of sexual offence charges in Northern Ireland have been withdrawn from the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Power-lifters Omar Sami Qaradhi, 31, and Motaz al-Junadi, 45, and 45-year-old trainer Faisal Hammash were arrested at the Antrim Sports Forum, Jordan's training base, following allegations by two girls and two women.

The Jordanian National Paralympic Committee told Locog that the athletes, two of whom are wheelchair bound, would not be participating in the Games. The three have returned to Jordan.

The Jordanian Embassy in London said: "In line with its duties towards its citizens, the embassy provided direct consular support to the three members of the team charged with the offences.

"The embassy wishes to further express its appreciation to the courts for promptly appointing a defence lawyer for the three men and facilitating its consular services to its citizens.

"The embassy in London wishes to reassure the courts of its continued cooperation and maintains utmost respect for the due process of the law."

Qaradhi is charged with two counts of sexual assault and one of voyeurism, while Junadi faces one charge of sexual assault. Hammash faces two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The three men were granted bail at a court in Coleraine, Co Londonderry, when the Jordanian government offered £500 with a surety of £5,000 for each defendant.

London