Slavery and Trafficking risk orders granted following serious allegations involving religious group in Crewe

Five people who were arrested in relation to serious offences involving members of a religious group in Crewe have now been issued with interim Slavery and Trafficking risk orders.

On Wednesday 29th April, more than 500 officers from Cheshire Police, with support of colleagues from neighbouring forces, conducted warrants at three addresses in Crewe following of reports of serious sexual offences, forced marriage and modern slavery.

All of the offences are reported to have occurred in 2023 whilst the victim, a woman, was a member of a religious group called the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light.

Following questioning, the seven men and three women have all now been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A number of conditions have been put in place as part of their bail conditions and, in addition, officers also applied for Slavery and Trafficking Risk Orders against five of the suspects.

The applications were heard at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 1 May, and after hearing all of the evidence, all five orders were approved.

These civil orders will provide additional restrictions that will enable us to manage individuals and ensure there is no risk to the public and other members of the group.

Under the terms of the orders Abdullah Hashem, 42 (American); Ali Muhammad, 35 (British); Veronica Carla Esponda, 44 (Italian); Eyad Elkhouly, 44 (German) and Kevin Omar Rodriguez-Ponce, 30 (Mexican); are all now required to comply with the following conditions:

• Not to enter Crewe
• Not to contact the victim
• Not to have any unsupervised contact with any children aged under 18 without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian and with the express approval of Social Services for the area.
• Not to travel into or out of the United Kingdom in the company of any person save for his biological children
• No to organise any transport and/or accommodation for any person other than their biological children
• Arranging, facilitating or participating in any arrangement whereby individuals are required or encouraged to reside in any accommodation under their control or influence.
• Not to be in possession of any original or copy identity documents save those pertaining to themselves
• Not to be in possession or control of any bank card, payment card, sim card or mobile phone belonging to another person
• Not to reside at an address in the UK for more than 24 hours without reporting his whereabouts to the police
• Not to apply for, obtain or being in possession of any passport, national identity card or other travel document for the duration of this order
• Must surrender any passport, national identity card or other travel document issued in his name to a constable within 24 hours of this order being made.

Chief Superintendent Gareth Wrigley said:  

“I welcome the granting of these orders, and I hope that they provide some reassurance to the local community.

“Our priority is always the safety of the public, and while our investigation continues, these orders will provide additional restrictions to ensure there is no risk to the public and other members of the group.

“Over the weekend we will continue to have a large police presence at the site while we continue with our searches and to provide reassure, and I would urge anyone with any concerns to speak to an officer.

“I would also like to reiterate that is not an investigation into the religion, our investigation solely focuses on the serious allegations which have been reported to us.

“I’d also remind residents that this remains a live investigation which will take some time, and I would ask that people do not speculate while the case remains ongoing."