KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Twenty-two members of an Islamic business group, including its CEO, were charged Wednesday with membership in an organized crime group after hundreds of children suspected of being sexually abused were rescued from homes last month social linked to the group.

Nasiruddin Mohamad Ali, CEO of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings, and his wife Azura Mohamad Yusof were among dozens of people arrested last month as police investigations widened to include human trafficking and money laundering . Islamic authorities are also investigating GISB for its deviant teachings linked to the banned Islamic cult Al Arqam.

Global Ikhwan was established by Al Arqam leader Ashaari Mohamad and flourished after his death in 2010. The government deemed the sect heretical and banned it in 1994.

Nasiruddin, his wife and a son from Ashaari were among the 22 charged on Wednesday. No plea has been entered from the group because the case must be transferred to a higher court, defense lawyer Rosli Kamaruddin said. But he said they would face trial.

“They will fight the accusation and challenge it in court,” Rosli told reporters. He said he didn’t know if there would be further charges. The defense plans to appeal to the Attorney General’s Office to reconsider their charges and challenge their current detention without trial in the High Court, he added.

The suspects each face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Police rescued more than 500 children from GISB-linked social homes last month. Some were allegedly sodomized by their guardians, denied medical care and physically abused. The case sparked outrage and calls for better protection of children and better monitoring of daycare centers.

GISB, which aims to promote an Islamic way of life, owns convenience stores, bakeries, restaurants, pharmacies, properties and other businesses abroad. It employs some 5,000 people.

Authorities have frozen bank accounts linked to GISB. Police said the children, whose parents are employees of Global Ikhwan, were placed in welfare homes from a young age and would be indoctrinated from a young age to be loyal to the group and exploited to collect public donations .

Global Ikhwan gained attention in 2011 when he created an “Obedient Wives Club” that sparked controversy by teaching women to be “good sex workers” to prevent their husbands from straying.