Residents of a religious community in Crewe have refuted accusations of impeding officers during recent raids conducted as part of an inquiry into claims of sexual abuse, forced marriages, and modern slavery. Over 500 officers participated in the execution of search warrants at three locations associated with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe on April 29.
At South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court, 24 individuals faced charges related to public order offenses purportedly committed during the raids. Annika Livermore, the prosecuting attorney, informed the court that residents obstructed officers from accessing rooms at Webb House, the community’s main premises, with some individuals forming human chains to prevent entry.
Allegations were made against Dareem Charles for kicking at police shields and throwing objects, while Marc Ferreira was accused of physically interfering with an officer during an arrest. The eldest defendant, Ramazan Demirovic, 59, was reported to have forcefully resisted officers by pushing against a doorframe and physically assaulting an officer.
Moreover, Laure Delogne was accused of concealing themselves in a bush when law enforcement entered the area. The defendants, ranging from 18 to 59 years old, were individually brought before the court, with proceedings scheduled to continue into the afternoon. Most of them resided in Crewe, except for Hatem Sider, who stated his address was in London.
Cheshire Police disclosed that the defendants hailed from various nationalities including British, French, Belgian, Iranian, Egyptian, and American. A small group of protesters gathered outside the court building, recording the defendants’ arrival on their mobile phones.
District Judge Ian Barnes granted unconditional bail to the defendants until their trials, set for April next year at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court, with case management hearings slated for September 29. Hamidreza Saghari’s charge of obstructing a constable was dropped by the prosecution.
Additionally, twelve individuals arrested in connection with the sexual abuse investigation were released on conditional bail. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, known for incorporating elements of Shia Islam with conspiracy theories involving the Illuminati and extraterrestrials controlling US presidents, has been disavowed by mainstream Muslim organizations.
The community, situated at Webb House, a former orphanage housing approximately 150 residents, regained access to the premises following the conclusion of police searches in early May.