Germany bans Islamist ‘True Religion’ group, raiding mosques and flats

Police launched dawn raids across Germany on Tuesday on about 190 mosques, flats and offices linked to a radical group after the government banned the organization, accusing it of radicalizing youngsters.

Police launched dawn raids across Germany on Tuesday on about 190 mosques, flats and offices linked to a radical group after the government banned the organization, accusing it of radicalizing youngsters.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said the DWR “True Religion” group had persuaded about 140 people to join militants in Iraq and Syria.

DWR, also known as “READ!” made no reference to the raids on its website and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Chancellor Angela Merkel has come under pressure to harden her line on security after several attacks claimed by the so-called Islamic State across Europe, including a bombing and a knifing in Germany that wounded some 20 people in July.