Torsion in pro-finite completions of torsion-free groups (Q917697)

By the theorem of \textit{W. Crawley-Boevey}, \textit{P. Kropholler} and \textit{P. Linnell} [J. Pure Appl. Algebra 54, 181-196 (1988; Zbl 0666.16007)] pro-finite completions of finitely generated, torsion-free, residually finite, metabelian-by-finite groups are themselves torsion-free. In the present paper the author proves that for each prime p there exists a countable, torsion-free, residually finite, metabelian group such that its pro-finite completion contains an element of order p. He also constructs for each prime p a torsion-free group that is a residually finite p-group and such that its pro-p completion contains an element of order p.