Religious group members bailed in modern slavery inquiry
Cheshire PoliceA court has granted an interim anti-slavery and trafficking order against five people from a religious group in Cheshire who were arrested over allegations of sexual assault, forced marriage and modern slavery.
They were among 10 people detained on Wednesday when police raided the headquarters of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe.
All of the 10 were released on bail on Friday, following the operation earlier in the week which covered three addresses and involved a team of 500 police officers.
The four men and one woman did not appear at Chester Magistrates Court for the hearing into the granting of the civil orders.
The interim orders prevent the five people from entering Crewe and from contacting the alleged victim. They also place restrictions on where they can live and where they can travel.
Police said the alleged victim, a woman, was a member of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL) in 2023.
In total, seven men and three women were bailed with conditions.
AROPL was started by followers of Shia Islam at the start of the century, but its beliefs have been rejected by Shia Muslims.
About 150 people are understood to live at its base at Webb House, which was searched by police along with two other properties owned by the group.
The 10 people arrested were of various nationalities, including British, Mexican, Italian, American, Spanish, German, Swedish and Egyptian.
Twenty five people have been charged for public order offences during the raids, but not connected to the investigation. All of them are due to appear at Crewe Magistrates' Court on various dates in June.
Chief Supt Gareth Wrigley said the operation was "not an investigation into the religion", adding: "We are continuing to work closely with our partners to provide the appropriate advice and safeguarding to other members of the group.
"I'd like to thank local residents for their support and patience following the warrants which resulted in some disruption in the local area," he said.
He said that additional patrols would remain in place over the bank holiday weekend to provide reassurance.
"This remains a live investigation which will take some time and I would ask that people do not speculate while the case remains ongoing," he said.
On Wednesday and Thursday a group understood to be members of the group or connected to it gathered outside Middlewich police station.
AROPL is not to be confused with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, often known as Ahmadis, which was founded on the Asian subcontinent and has a big presence in the UK.
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