German media is reporting that in light of the protests in Iran, the ruling coalition is considering the closure of the Islamic Zentrum Hamburg (IZH). According to the DPA report, the IZH is regarded as the “most important offshoot of the Iranian regime in Germany:
November 11, 2022 The traffic light parties in the Bundestag want to support the historic wave of protests in Iran. To this end, the SPD, Greens and FDP are planning a new package of measures in the Bundestag. This is intended to increase the pressure on the regime in Tehran. In the draft of a motion, which is available to the news agency dpa, in addition to numerous actions at the international level, there is also talk of closing the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH). According to the motion, which is to be voted on as early as this Wednesday, the German government should examine whether and how the controversial institution could be closed. First the Die Welt had reported on it. The IZH is considered the most important offshoot of the Iranian regime in Germany. It is classified as extremist by the Hamburg Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The agency has been monitoring the community for many years and describes it, along with the Iranian Embassy, as “Iran’s most important representation in Germany and a significant propaganda center” in Europe. Green Party leader Omid Nouripour had already called for the center to be closed months ago, calling it “the regime’s most important spy nest in Germany.” The SPIEGEL had already reported in October , that the Hamburg state government also distanced itself from the IZH. Deputy Mayor Katharina Fegebank (Greens) already publicly opposed the center at that time and urged to end cooperations. The traffic light factions bring other measures into play besides a possible closure of the IZH. The two dozen or so sub-items of the parliamentary motion now include an expansion of sanctions against Tehran, condemnation of violent attacks against demonstrators and improved protection for Iranian opposition figures in Germany. [Translated from German with DeepL with edits]
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In July, the Global Influence Operations Report (GIOR) reported that the German government had expelled a senior leader of the IVH because he had close contacts with terrorist organizations.” We reported in February that the German domestic intelligence agency had found evidence that the IZH was linked to the Iranian government.