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.
Massive Police Operation
Approximately 500 officers from across the north-west of England were deployed on Wednesday morning. Police confirmed that nine individuals have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in custody. The officers executed warrants at the group’s headquarters, which is located in a former orphanage, as well as at other properties in Crewe.
Background of the Investigation
The arrests follow a complaint made to Cheshire Police in March by a woman now based in the Republic of Ireland. She alleged that she was raped and sexually abused at AROPL’s headquarters in 2023 while she was a member of the group. Police stated that the alleged offences occurred last year and involved the complainant, who was a member at the time.
Details of the Arrests
Police reported that six men and three women were arrested on suspicion of various offences, including human trafficking, sexual assault, rape, forced marriage, and modern slavery. The suspects are nationals of the United States, Mexico, Spain, Egypt, Italy, and Sweden. Additionally, a further 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of public order offences unrelated to the main investigation.
Following the arrests, police conducted a search of the premises. The road adjacent to the sect’s headquarters was closed on Wednesday morning as a convoy of police vehicles entered the gated property.
Police Statement
Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley stated that the investigation is focused on individual suspects. He emphasised: “While those arrested are members of the group, I want to make clear that this is not an investigation into the religion; this is an investigation into the serious allegations which have been reported to us.” Wrigley added: “We treat all reports of sexual assault seriously and are committed to doing all we can to achieve justice.”
About the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
AROPL is a religious sect that relocated its headquarters to Crewe in 2021. It blends elements of Islam with conspiracy theories about the Illuminati and aliens controlling US presidents. Followers wear black beanie hats and believe the sect’s leader can heal the sick and make the moon disappear. The group describes itself as a peaceful, open, and transparent religious movement derived from Shia Islam, claiming to face persecution worldwide due to its belief in equality and human rights. AROPL holds charitable status in the UK.
Approximately 150 people live together in the sprawling, Grade II-listed building in Crewe, while other followers reside elsewhere in the town and globally. Followers proselytise through slick social media videos produced on-site in Crewe, with the group’s YouTube videos amassing over 31 million views. Around 56 children are believed to be living at the headquarters, where they are home-schooled. Wrigley said the force is working with local partners to implement safeguarding measures.
Previous Inquiries
In the past, Cheshire East Council’s social services conducted two inquiries related to the group or the children, but no action was deemed necessary.
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Background on AROPL
The Guardian has previously spoken to former members who described living in a tightly controlled group and feeling pressured to sever ties with outsiders. AROPL’s lawyers denied that members were encouraged to ostracise relatives or were tightly controlled. The group moved its headquarters to the UK in 2021 from Sweden, having previously been based in Egypt and Germany. In Sweden, the sect was investigated by immigration authorities, leading to 69 members having their residency permits revoked. In 2022, an immigration court ordered the deportation of dozens of members, though most had already moved to the UK by then. AROPL decried the Swedish investigations as racist and religious persecution.
The Guardian has also reported that the group is being investigated by the UK Home Office over its use of skilled worker visas, focusing on visas issued to AROPL Studios, a company set up in 2021 to produce social media content. AROPL denied using illegal immigration practices, stating through lawyers that all members’ and workers’ immigration statuses are lawful.
When asked about the recent arrests, AROPL’s lawyers told the Guardian: “Our client has no comment other than to say that any wrongdoing is vehemently denied.”
