Germany bans 3 Hezbollah-linked groups, conducts raids

Germany has banned three associations that are accused of collecting money for projects of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, reports Reuters.

"Those who support terror will not be safe in Germany. No matter in what guise the supporters appear, they will not find a place of refuge in our country," the spokesman for the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

On Twitter, the spokesman for the ministry also informed that Police has conducted early morning raids at several premises in seven German states.

Raids were carried out and offices were searched in Bremen, Hesse, Hamburg, Lower Saxony, North-Rhine Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein and Rhineland-Palatinate, DPA reported.

The three associations that have been banned are "Deutsche Libanesische Familie"(German Lebanese Family), "Menschen für Menschen"(People for People as well as "Gib Frieden"( Give Peace). The ban on these organisations had already been pronounced on April 15

The associations are accused of collecting donations for Hezbollah's "martyr families" in Lebanon under the guise of religious and humanitarian goals in Germany, ultimately promoting attacks on Israel.

The aim of the organizations was to promote Hezbollah's fight against Israel, which goes against the idea of international understanding, the ministry said.

They do not comprise an official organization in Germany, but work unofficially, doing fundraising, among other activities, according to security officials. Germany's domestic intelligence agency estimates that there are about 1,050 Hezbollah members and supporters currently in the country.

Germany had banned Hezbollah on its soil and designated it a terrorist organisation in March last year.