The family of a German woman who disappeared during a trip to India seven years ago say they hope a major police raid on a UK-based religious sect could help uncover what happened to her.
Lisa Wiese, who was 30 when she vanished in Kerala in March 2019, had been linked to the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light (AROPL), a sect headquartered in Crewe, Cheshire.
According to The Guardian, the renewed attention follows a large-scale police operation in April in which about 500 officers raided the group’s headquarters and arrested 12 people on suspicion of offences including modern slavery, human trafficking, rape and forced marriage. All those arrested have since been released on bail pending further inquiries.
Wiese disappeared days after arriving in India. Her family said the last contact came through emails and voice messages sent to relatives and her two children shortly before her Gmail account was deleted and her phone went silent.
Her former husband, AbdelRahman Hashem, said he hoped the latest police investigation in the UK could help authorities revisit her disappearance and question individuals previously identified by German and Indian investigators.
German and Indian police both opened missing persons investigations after Wiese vanished, but her family said progress had been limited over the years.
Friends described Wiese as outgoing and compassionate. She converted to Islam in 2011 and later became involved with AROPL, a movement that blends Islamic teachings with conspiracy theories and alternative spiritual beliefs.
After separating from her husband in 2017, Wiese moved between Germany and Sweden with members of the sect. In early 2019, her two children temporarily moved to live with their father in the United States while she discussed plans to rebuild her life.
Wiese travelled to Kerala in March 2019 with assistance from members of the sect, though conflicting accounts later emerged about the purpose of the visit.
Investigators believe she stayed briefly at a budget hotel near Varkala beach before disappearing. Authorities said there has been no activity on her bank accounts or phone since March 2019.
Her family said the lack of answers has taken a heavy emotional toll, particularly on her children, who are now aged 11 and 12.
AROPL previously denied having any information about Wiese’s disappearance.
