Germany Bans Ansaar International Over ‘Terror Financing'

German police officers. Reuters file photo
German police officers. Reuters file photo
TT
20

Germany Bans Ansaar International Over ‘Terror Financing'

German police officers. Reuters file photo
German police officers. Reuters file photo

Germany on Wednesday banned Ansaar International, accusing it of collecting donations to help finance terrorism worldwide.

The prohibition came along with a series of raids on properties in ten states, with investigators also seizing items.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer "has banned the association Ansaar International and its related organizations. The network finances terrorism worldwide with donations," tweeted ministry spokesman Steve Alter.

"If you want to fight terror you have to dry up its sources of funding," said Seehofer.

Ansaar says on its website it provides humanitarian aid to people affected by war and crises by, for instance, building or financing the construction of hospitals, orphanages and schools.

In 2018 alone, it collected 8 to 10 million euros in donations, according to its first chairman.

The interior ministry said however that the funds are in fact raised with the intention of financing foreign groups such as the Palestinian movement Hamas as well as the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab and al-Nusra Front.

"Financial support, even for what at first glance appear to be charitable activities, secures the terrorist groups' power and dominance in the respective region, facilitates the recruitment of activists, and saves the terrorist group money, which in turn can be used to carry out the crimes it plans," said the ministry.



Iran Media Say Police Arrest Two Suspects Linked to Israel’s Spy Agency

Commuters drive along a road as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (AFP)
Commuters drive along a road as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (AFP)
TT
20

Iran Media Say Police Arrest Two Suspects Linked to Israel’s Spy Agency

Commuters drive along a road as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (AFP)
Commuters drive along a road as a plume of heavy smoke and fire rise from an oil refinery in southern Tehran, after it was hit in an overnight Israeli strike, on June 15, 2025. (AFP)

Iranian media said Sunday that police had arrested two suspects over alleged links to Israel's Mossad spy agency, on the third day of heavy exchange of fire between the two foes.

"Two members of the Mossad terrorist team who were making bombs, explosives, booby traps and electronic equipment were arrested" in Alborz province, west of Tehran, the Tasnim news agency reported, citing a police spokesperson.

Israel pressed its intense bombardment campaign on Iran on Sunday, striking a defense facility and fuel depots as the two arch foes kept up their most intense confrontation in history.

It came after Iranian missile fire on Israel killed at least 10 people overnight, according to authorities, pushing the toll up to 13 since Iran began its retaliatory strikes on Friday.

In Tehran, a heavy cloud of smoke billowed over the city after Israeli aircraft struck two fuel depots. For days, Iranians have formed long queues at petrol stations, fearing shortages.

Iranian media later said Israel attacked a facility affiliated with the defense ministry in the central city of Isfahan, reporting "possible damage".

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Washington "had nothing to do" with ally Israel's intense bombardment campaign that was launched early Friday, hitting key military and nuclear sites as well as residential areas.