BERLIN
Two men have been charged after German police arrested nine people in coordinated anti-terrorism raids targeting a network suspected of providing support for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
Suspects referred to as Kais "B. O." and Pakistani citizen Mirza Tamoor "B." were charged on Wednesday with supporting ISIL, which has been listed as a foreign terrorist organization in Germany since September.
The Office of the Federal Attorney said in a written statement that the investigation has revealed that the two men are alleged to have been part of a network supporting ISIL which provided financial support, a car and recruited at least three people for the organization.
The other suspects, who are between the ages of 22 and 35, were due to appear in court later on Wednesday in Cologne.
Prosecutors have demanded a detention order.
- Homes searched
Police in Cologne said in a written statement that those under arrest were suspected of stealing money and goods, and breaking into schools and churches in order to raise financial support to terrorist groups fighting in Syria.
The homes of 20 suspects were searched during the raids, which were conducted in four municipalities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as Cologne, the statement added.
Germany’s Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere declined to comment on details of the investigation.
De Maiziere told reporters at a press conference at the Federal Press Centre that all cases of aiding ISIL, including raising money for the group which is banned in Germany, would be prosecuted.
De Maiziere said security organizations were closely monitoring around 200 radicals in Germany who might be planning acts of violence.
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