Pro-\(\mathcal {C}\) congruence properties for groups of rooted tree automorphisms (Q1721757)

For a group $G$ acting faithfully on a rooted tree, taking the level stabilizers as a neighbourhood basis for the identity gives a topology on $G$. The congruence subgroup problem, asking whether the profinite completion of $G$ coincides with the completion with respect to level stabilizers, has so far only really been considered for branch groups. The authors study a generalisation in two natural directions simultaneously. Firstly, they consider weakly branch groups, but not necessarily branch groups. Secondly, instead of only comparing the profinite completion to that given by level stabilizers, they also compare pro-$C$ completions of the group, where $C$ is a pseudo-variety of finite groups. A group acting on a rooted locally finite tree has the $C$-congruence subgroup property ($C$-CSP) if its pro-$C$ completion coincides with the completion with respect to level stabilizers. A sufficient condition is given for a weakly regular branch group to have the $C$-CSP. In the case where $C$ is also closed under extensions, the sufficient condition is also necessary. The criterion is used to show that the Basilica group and the GGS-groups with constant defining vector (odd prime relatives of the Basilica group) have the $p$-CSP.