500 Officers Raid AROPL Crewe HQ; Nine Arrested on Suspicion of Modern Slavery, Forced Marriage and Sexual Assault

London — Around 500 police officers from forces across northwest England carried out coordinated raids on Wednesday at three properties linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), including the group's headquarters in Crewe, Cheshire. Cheshire Police said nine people were arrested on suspicion of offences that include modern slavery, forced marriage and sexual assault.

Officers executed warrants at three addresses during the morning operation. Cheshire Police confirmed six men and three women were taken into custody and said the arrests followed allegations reported to police in March by a woman who had previously been part of the group. Police say the alleged offences reportedly occurred in 2023 and that all arrests relate to that single report.

Who Was Arrested

Cheshire Police said those detained include two American men and one American woman, two Mexican men, an Italian woman, a Spanish man, a Swedish woman and an Egyptian man. The force has not released names and stressed that arrests are on suspicion only while inquiries continue.

"Today's operation is the outcome of a detailed and robust investigation," Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley of the Cheshire Constabulary said. "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."

The U.S. Embassy in London did not respond to a request for comment about the Americans who were arrested. AROPL did not reply to requests for comment; lawyers speaking to The Guardian said: "Our client has no comment other than to say that any wrongdoing is vehemently denied."

Investigation Status

Police said the operation followed a detailed investigation triggered by the March complaint. Searches and arrests form part of an active criminal inquiry; detectives have cautioned that arrests are not charges and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact Cheshire Police.

About AROPL

The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light describes itself as a religious movement built around messianic prophecy combined with conspiracy theories. It is associated with the Shiite branch of Islam but is widely regarded as heretical by mainstream Muslim authorities.

AROPL's founder, Egyptian-American Abdullah Hashem, publicly proclaimed himself the Mahdi in 2015 — an Islamic messianic figure — and has made other controversial claims, reportedly including being a successor to Jesus and asserting unusual religious titles. Before founding AROPL, Hashem worked as a documentary filmmaker and produced material touching on Raelism (a UFO-based movement) and conspiracy-oriented themes.

Observers note AROPL's beliefs and practices depart markedly from mainstream Islamic norms: adherents are not obliged to perform ritual Islamic prayers and alcohol consumption is reportedly permitted. Online videos circulated by the movement feature followers making extraordinary claims about Hashem's abilities.

Authorities in several countries have taken action against the group. Malaysia has formally banned the organisation, and members have faced charges or detention in Egypt and Algeria. AROPL moved its headquarters to the U.K. in 2021 from Sweden after Swedish immigration authorities revoked residency permits for dozens of members; the group described those actions as racist persecution. The movement has previously been based in Egypt and Germany.

Local reporting, including from The Guardian, says roughly 150 people live at the Crewe headquarters — a Grade II–listed former orphanage — including about 56 children who are reportedly home-schooled. The site has been reported to have round-the-clock security. In his writings, Hashem urged followers to build a "media machine" to spread the group's message, and the organisation maintains an active social media presence.

Note: Police emphasise that arrests are on suspicion only and investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information relevant to the inquiry should contact Cheshire Police.