Virtual retractions, conjugacy separability and omnipotence. (Q2268817)

Let \(G\) be a group. An element \(g\in G\) is said to be conjugacy distinguished if, for \(h\in G\), either \(h\) is conjugate in \(G\) to \(g\) or there exists a homomorphism \(\varphi\) onto a finite group \(H\) such that \(\varphi(h)\) and \(\varphi(g)\) are not conjugate in \(H\). \(G\) is called conjugacy separable if every element of \(G\) is conjugacy distinguished. A somehow related property for \(G\) is omnipotence. The paper provides topological criteria for \(G\) to be conjugacy separable or omnipotent. As a consequence there is a new proof that a hyperbolic surface group is conjugacy separable and omnipotent.