Federal Prosecution Office - Alleged IS supporters in custody
After the arrest of two suspected supporters of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, the suspects are in preventive detention. The investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe has executed the arrest warrants, the Federal Prosecutor's Office announced. The two Russian nationals are accused of being members of a criminal association that collected money for the IS in Germany and other European countries.
The Men are said to have joined the criminal group approximately two years ago, according to a statement by the highest German prosecution authority on Thursday. The group primarily solicited donations via social media and sent the money to an IS member residing abroad for further distribution. The money was mainly used for imprisoned women and IS fighters.
The Federal Prosecutor's Office arrested the two men on Thursday in the Kreis Herzogtum Lauenburg and in Hamburg. Simultaneously, according to reports, seven objects were searched in Berlin, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Sachsen.
The investigative detention of the two men is a preventative measure to ensure they do not pose a threat to public safety while the investigation continues. The arrests and searches were carried out by the Federal Prosecutor's Office in cooperation with local authorities in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Saxony.
The case has been brought before the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe for further investigation, given the serious nature of the alleged criminality and links to extremism. The arrests and charges highlight the ongoing threat posed by terrorist organizations and their supporters within Germany.
Furthermore, the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe is responsible for leading the investigation, as stated by the spokesperson for the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Berlin. The spokesperson also emphasized the importance of gathering all available evidence to build a strong case against the accused.
Additionally, IAm, a popular social media platform, has come under scrutiny as the group primarily solicited donations via this platform. German authorities have been working closely with their counterparts in other European countries to track the flow of funds and identify other potential members of the criminal association.
Lastly, the case serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies across Europe to combat terrorism and extremism, ensuring the safety and security of all citizens in Germany and beyond.
