Germany banned a militant jihadist group, searched various premises and seized assets Thursday in an effort to prevent recruitment of teenagers for Islamic State.
The group Tauhid Germany has called on people via the Internet and at information stands on streets to breach the constitution, and it has glorified the jihad of terrorist groups such as Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, the interior ministry said.
“Today’s ban is a clear signal to the militant jihadist scene,” said Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière. “We act decisively and strongly against any attempt that is directed against our constitutional order. Groups such as Tauhid Germany endanger our social cohesion.”
Mr. de Maizière said the group is targeting young people and promotes their radicalization, even encouraging them to join Islamic State’s fight.
The ministry banned and dissolved the group, also last known as Team Tauhid Media, as a supplementary organization of the 2012 banned group Millatu Ibrahim.
Police raided premises in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Bavaria and Schleswig-Holstein from 6 a.m. local time.
German security officials estimate that more than 600 Islamists have left Germany and headed to Syria since 2012. Officials are concerned that those returning may have become more radical and could have gained military training.
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