German Police launch raids on Islamic Salafists

14 June 2012 Last updated at 10:27 Share this pageEmail Print Share this page

German police have launched nationwide raids targeting ultra-conservative Islamic Salafists, suspected of posing a threat to public order.

Searches took place early on Thursday at Salafists' homes and meeting places in seven states, including Bavaria, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.

A Salafist group called Millatu Ibrahim, based in the western city of Solingen, has been banned.

The raids follow clashes between police and some Salafists.

German authorities believe the Salafists want to create a Sunni Islamic caliphate opposed to Western democracy.

In one of the raids police removed items from the home of Salafist preacher Ibrahim Abu Nagie in Cologne.

The authorities have been monitoring Salafist campaigns to recruit supporters, including the distribution of free Korans.

There are believed to be about 4,000 active Salafists in Germany, the state-owned broadcaster ARD reports.