Nationwide raid against Islamists - More than 500 police officers deployed

Raid Against Alleged Islamist Center: Over 500 Officers Involved in Nationwide Sweep

The German authorities, spearheaded by over 500 police officers, have embarked on a nationwide mission to investigate the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH), after the organization was labeled as Islamist by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

This early morning operation, initiated in response to the IZH's alleged activities, involved searches in 54 premises spread across seven different federal states. The Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who heads the Federal Ministry of the Interior, highlighted that the IZH had been under surveillance by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution for some time and was classified as Islamist due to concerns over its activities potentially violating the Basic Law and Associations Act.

The Alleged Grounds

According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the IZH is suspected of undermining the constitutional order and obstructing the concept of international understanding. Furthermore, the investigation reveals that the IZH may be supporting the illegal activities of the Lebanese terrorist organization "Hizb Allah," which is outlawed in Germany. Subordinate associations are also under scrutiny, allegedly tied to the IZH.

Tough Stance Against Extremism

Faeser reiterated the government's commitment to monitoring and addressing extremism, saying, "We have the Islamist scene in our sights." She stressed the importance of keeping a close watch on any Islamist propaganda or anti-Semitic or anti-Israeli incitement. Under this mandate, every valid suspicion is thoroughly examined.

Preceding Controversy

Last November, the coalition government, led by the SPD, urged the Federal Ministry of the Interior to evaluate whether or not the Islamic Center Hamburg could be shut down as a strategic hub for the Iranian regime's operations in Germany. These calls emerged following the characterization of the IZH as an Iranian regime propaganda outpost and a vital hub for Iran's influence in Europe by the Hamburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

Chairman of the Green Party, Omid Nouripour, tagged the IZH as "the regime's most significant spy nest in Germany," while IZH spokespersons have consistently denied these allegations.

As the authorities continue their investigation, the Interior Minister has vowed to dedicate resources to combating extremism. The federal authorities have highlighted their intention to tackle any incitement or hate speech, ensuring democratically enshrined values are upheld.

Sources:

Enrichment Data:

The classification of the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) as an Islamist organization stems from its strong ties to the Iranian regime and potential promotion of Islamist ideologies. Key points that contributed to this classification and the activities under scrutiny include:

1. Ties to the Iranian Regime:
2. German authorities regard the IZH as a vital propaganda center for Iran in Europe, working to consolidate Iran's influence among Shiite minority groups and spread its social, political, and religious values.
3. Promotion of Islamist Ideology:
4. The IZH has been suspected of disseminating the ideology of prohibited Islamist groups, including the Caliphate State, through sermons and propaganda materials.
5. As part of this investigation, authorities have seized weapons, data, and large sums of money from premises connected to the IZH, resulting in numerous arrests.
6. Political and Social Activities:
7. The IZH has engaged in political activities that are seen as opposing the constitutional order and harming international understanding. In some cases, mosques have been closed for promoting activities that undermine democratic principles.
8. Legislation has been proposed to ban the IZH, owing to concerns over its threat to the German constitution and democratic order.
9. Legalistic Islamism:
10. Legalistic Islamism is a long-term strategy to present the IZH as an organization that follows the law while pushing for the implementation of Sharia law in secular democratic societies. This approach aims to subvert democratic principles and introduce a totalizing system.

The uncovered activities and affiliations have led to the classification of the IZH as an Islamist organization and fueled suspicions that it may be engaged in activities that violate German law, primarily those related to inciting hatred, disseminating propaganda, and undermining democratic norms.