In response to investigations against the “Islamic Center Hamburg” (IZH) for allegedly going against the constitutional order and supporting terrorist activities, raids were carried out in seven German federal states. The searches took place in Hamburg, Lower Saxony, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) emphasized that the IZH is an Islamist organization that is seen as an extension of the Iranian regime. She stated that the center is being investigated for supporting Hezbollah activities and could potentially be banned.
According to information gathered by authorities, objects were searched in all of these locations early on Thursday morning. While no money was confiscated due to the current lack of a ban on associations, the searches were part of a larger investigation into the IZH’s activities at its Hamburg facility, known as the Blue Mosque.
The police also conducted searches at a mosque in Frankfurt am Main called “Center for Islamic Culture.” This move was seen as part of a wider effort to uncover any links between mosques and clubs affiliated with the IZH and control over certain facilities. An anti-Semitic and anti-Israel attitude is often evident within these circles.
Faeser had previously announced bans on Hamas movement and Samidoun network associations earlier this week. She dissolved their German branches and stated that Germany is already working on further bans on Islamist groups. However, some opposition domestic politicians had criticized her for not conducting parallel searches on suspected supporters of these organizations during their banning process.
The American Jewish Committee Berlin welcomed the measures taken against the IZH and its environment, citing concerns about Iranian regime propaganda institutions and structures operating within Germany. The organization highlighted the dangers posed by such entities to German society and public safety.