Residents of a religious community in Crewe have refuted claims of obstructing authorities during recent raids conducted as part of an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse, forced marriage, and modern slavery.
Over 500 officers participated in executing search warrants at three locations associated with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light in Crewe on April 29.
At South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 24 individuals faced charges of public order offenses allegedly committed during the raids.
According to Annika Livermore, the prosecuting attorney, residents impeded officers from accessing rooms at Webb House, the headquarters of the group, with some forming human chains to block their entry.
Allegations included Dareem Charles kicking at police shields and throwing objects, and Marc Ferreira grabbing an officer during an arrest.
The oldest defendant, 59-year-old Ramazan Demirovic, was observed pushing past officers and resisting against a doorframe, eventually striking an officer, as stated by Ms. Livermore.
Laure Delogne, who communicated through a French interpreter, was accused of hiding in bushes upon the arrival of the police at the location.
The defendants, aged between 18 and 59, were individually brought before the court, with proceedings scheduled to continue throughout the day. All except Hatem Sider, who provided a London address, reside in Crewe. Many were dressed in black attire, including some wearing black beanies.
Cheshire Police noted that the defendants hailed from various nationalities, including British, French, Belgian, Iranian, Egyptian, and American.
Outside the courthouse, a small group of demonstrators gathered, recording the defendants’ arrivals on their mobile devices.
District Judge Ian Barnes granted unconditional bail to the defendants until their trials, set for April next year at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court.
Pre-trial case management hearings were arranged for September 29.
The prosecution discontinued the case against Hamidreza Saghari, 39, charged with obstructing a police officer.
Twelve individuals detained in connection with the sexual abuse investigation were later released on conditional bail.
The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, a sect blending Shia Islam principles with conspiracy theories, has been criticized by mainstream Muslim organizations.
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