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German authorities conducted nationwide searches of 54 locations across seven federal states connected to the Islamic Center of Hamburg (IZH) on Thursday morning, the Interior Ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said the IZH was suspected of “acting against constitutional order” and of “supporting [the] terror organization Hezbollah.”
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) said the IZH had long been under surveillance by German intelligence services and has been categorized as “Islamist.”
“We have the Islamist scene in our sights,” she said following the 6am raids.
“Especially now, at a time when many Jews feel particularly threatened, it’s important to state: we do not tolerate Islamist propaganda or anti-Semitic and anti-Israel agitation.
“Now especially is the time to be on high alert and for a tough approach. This is why we are following every reasonable suspicion seriously.”
German intelligence suspects Iranian influence
German intelligence services believe that the IZH, considered an extension of the Iranian regime in Germany, has a large influence over certain mosques and associations, or even controls them.
One mosque operated by the IZH is the Imam Ali Mosque in Hamburg, known as the Blue Mosque. The controlling association was founded in 1953 by Iranian immigrants. According to the Interior Ministry, its activities are aimed at spreading the Iranian revolutionary ideas.
More to come…
mf/rt (dpa, AFP, Reuters)
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