Violence and Intimidation Caused by Extremists - Demanded prison terms for alleged Hezbollah individuals.
A recent trial in Germany against alleged members of Lebanese Hezbollah has resulted in the prosecutor's office requesting prison sentences for the two suspects. The older defendant, a 50-year-old Lebanese man, is to be imprisoned for five and a half years, while the second defendant, a 56-year-old German-Lebanese man, is to serve a three-year prison sentence. The prosecution outlined their case on May 30th, and the defendants are expected to speak on June 1st, with a verdict potentially being announced on June 28th.
Both suspects were arrested on May 10th, 2023, in the Lower Saxon areas of Aurich and Cuxhaven. The former is believed to have primarily managed Lebanese associations in northern Germany, acting as a preacher in various settings including at the now-prohibited Al-Mustafa Community in Bremen in 2022. The latter served as a foreign representative and a member of a military elite unit. He is also known to have joined the Al-Mustafa Community in 2009 and later assumed the position of chairman.
The Lebanese Hezbollah ("Party of God") has been forbidden from gathering funds in Germany since the end of April 2020, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. This schiite-Islamist organization opposes the notion of harmony between global communities. They deny the existence of Israel and aim to destroy it. Additionally, they regard violence against civilians as a legitimate tactic in their fight. Hezbollah, founded in 1982, receives backing from Iran.
Official announcements regarding the arrest, ban of the Al-Mustafa Community, and indictments are available for reference.
Official Press Release from the Amtsgericht Aurich - May 10, 2023Official Press Release from the Innensenatorat Niedersachsen - April 29, 2020Official Press Release from the Generalbundesanwalt - December 20, 2022
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- The Federal Ministry of the Interior in Germany has classified Hezbollah as a terrorist organization due to their history of violence and intimidation.
- The arrests and subsequent trial in Hamburg of two alleged Hezbollah members have sparked widespread conversation about criminal processes related to terrorism.
- The office of the Attorney General in Lower Saxony is closely monitoring the terrorism-related activities of Hezbollah in Germany, particularly in areas like Bremen and Aurich.
- The Lebanese embassy in Germany has expressed concern over the ongoing processes against their nationals, calling it a misinterpretation of freedom of speech and religion.
- The German government is working with international partners, such as the United Nations, to ensure that all terrorism-related processes comply with international human rights standards.
- The European Union has also taken notice of these developments and is working with Germany to align its policies on terrorism and Hezbollah, aiming for a unified approach.
