German police believe that organizations and mosques have spread anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment.
The German police have raided numerous Islamic sites in several cities this morning. A total of 54 objects were searched.
The reason for the raids has been the suspicion that Islamic centers promote activities that violate the German constitution and the principle of human equality, says Bild magazine.
The targets have been cultural centers and mosques funded by Iran that support Shiite Islam.
The largest police operation has been in Hamburg, where more than 200 police officers participated. There have also been raids in Lower Saxony, Bavaria, Berlin, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg.
In Hamburg, the most important destination was the Islamic Center of Hamburg (Islamische Zentrum Hamburg, IZH), which has reportedly been the subject of interest of the Ministry of the Interior for years. The center is suspected of having connections with the Hezbollah organization, classified as a terrorist organization in Germany, which is a close supporter of Iran. Hezbollah based in Lebanon is constantly launching grenade attacks on Israel
IZH has maintained the well-known “Blue Mosque” in Hamburg. Minister of the Interior of the State of Hamburg Andy Grote says that the IZH organization will be closed in the near future.
According to the German intelligence service, organizations and mosques supported by Iran have spread “clearly anti-Semitic and anti-Israel messages”.
In addition to IZH, the investigations target five other organizations that are suspected of being subordinate to IZH.
Sources: AFP, AP