German police raid Muslim associations allegedly affiliated with Iran

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - German police carried out large-scale raids on several Muslim associations affiliated with the Iranian regime, authorities said on Thursday.

The raids were carried out as part of an investigation into the activities of the Islamic Center in Hamburg (IZH) and five other groups which were allegedly carrying out activities against the constitutional order in Germany, said the Interior Ministry.

“In order to further clarify this suspicion and to secure evidence, a total of 54 properties in seven federal states have been searched since 6 am on the orders of the responsible administrative courts,” said a ministry statement.

Security authorities were also investigating allegations that the IZH supports the activities of Lebanese Hezbollah, the ministry said, adding that the group was classified as a terrorist organization and its activities were banned in Germany.

The ministry claimed the activities of the IZH were aimed at spreading the revolutionary ideology of the Iranian regime, and said the group had great influence, or complete control, on several associations and mosques across the country.

The raids were carried out in Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, and North Rhine-Westphalia.