Police have raided the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) in Crewe, Cheshire, as part of an investigation into allegations of serious sexual offences, modern slavery and forced marriage. About 500 officers from across the north-west of England were deployed on Wednesday morning, with nine people arrested and held in custody.
The arrests follow a complaint made in March by a woman, now based in the Republic of Ireland, who alleged she was raped and sexually abused at the sect's headquarters in 2023 while she was a member. Six men and three women were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, sexual assault, rape, forced marriage and modern slavery. The suspects are of American, Mexican, Spanish, Egyptian, Italian and Swedish nationality.
Police also arrested 13 other people on suspicion of public order offences unrelated to the main investigation. Officers executed warrants at the group's headquarters, a former orphanage, and other properties in Crewe. The road near the gated property was closed as a convoy of police vehicles entered.
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley stressed that the investigation is focused on individual suspects, not the religion itself. 'We treat all reports of sexual assault seriously and are committed to doing all we can to achieve justice,' he said. The force is working with local partners to safeguard about 56 children living at the headquarters, who are home-schooled.
AROPL, which moved to the UK from Sweden in 2021, blends Shia Islam with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens. The group has charity status and claims to be peaceful and transparent. It has faced previous investigations in Sweden, where 69 members had residency permits revoked, and is currently being investigated by the Home Office over its use of skilled worker visas.
AROPL's lawyers declined to comment on the recent arrests, stating they had no comment at this time.
