Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05FRANKFURT6995
2005-09-14 14:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Frankfurt
Cable title:  

Hesse to Deport Afghan Hate Preacher

Tags:  PTER KISL PHUM GM AF 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FRANKFURT 006995 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/AGS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER KISL PHUM GM AF
SUBJECT: Hesse to Deport Afghan Hate Preacher

Ref: Berlin 562

Sensitive but unclassified; not for Internet distribution

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FRANKFURT 006995

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/AGS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER KISL PHUM GM AF
SUBJECT: Hesse to Deport Afghan Hate Preacher

Ref: Berlin 562

Sensitive but unclassified; not for Internet distribution


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The German state of Hesse has initiated
deportation proceedings against Mr. Said Khobaib Sadat (DPOB
1 January 1959 in Logar, Afghanistan),an Afghan imam living
in Offenbach, near Frankfurt, for reportedly being a "hate-
preacher," a crime under the immigration law that went into
effect 1/1/2005 (reftel). Sadat is also alleged to have
ties to Afghanistan's Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Sadat disputes
the allegations and has appealed the expulsion order.
German courts could rule on the case in the coming days.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On August 10, Hesse Interior Minister Volker
Bouffier (CDU-Christian Democrats) announced that the state
intends to deport Mr. Sadat. According to press reports,
authorities have been monitoring the activities of Sadat, a
preacher at the Pak Dar Ul Islam Mosque in Frankfurt, since
at least 2003. The mosque is co-located with the Bangladesh
Islamic Mosque at the same address.

A Hate Preacher to Be Taken Seriously
--------------


3. (SBU) The state Office for the Protection of the
Constitution (LfV),which monitors extremists, documented a
number of "hate-sermons" Sadat delivered in 2002 and 2003.
Press reports claim he routinely advocated violence in his
sermons. On July 29, Sadat urged followers to "not fear
death" and "defend our faith against non-believers even if
it means dying for it as martyrs." Additionally, he
preached, "today all of us must defend Islam together
against enemy forces--with every means, even with death."
Sadat also allegedly conveyed messages from Gulbuddin
Hekmatyar. Sadat is suspected of having ties to pro-Taliban
forces in Afghanistan. The German media portray Sadat as a
charismatic speaker who appeals to young Muslims and new
converts. Hesse LfV President Lutz Irrgang described him
publicly as a "hate-preacher to be taken very seriously."


4. (U) Sadat has resided in Germany since 1991. He had
enjoyed protection from removal proceedings due to the
situation then prevailing in Afghanistan but no longer does,
according to authorities, paving the way for deportation.
NOTE: Germany has determined that conditions in Afghanistan
are such that involuntarily returning Afghans to their
homeland is now possible. END NOTE.

"Dear God, Destroy them All"
--------------


5. (SBU) A spokesperson for the Frankfurt prosecutor's
office described the case as complex, noting that Sadat's
sermons often took the form of a prayer calling on Allah -
rather than fellow Muslims - to punish "non-believers,"
raising the question of whether he was actually engaging in
incitement. During sermons delivered between 2001 and 2003
Sadat is reported to have preached:

"Death to the Americans, death to the English."

"If these people do not leave (us) alone, then cripple their
legs. Dear God, cripple their hands . . . make their wives
into widows . . . let their kids become orphans. Dear God,
let their families be destroyed."

"Dear God, destroy and punish all those who do not want
peace in Afghanistan. Dear God, destroy them all."


6. (SBU) Another legal problem concerns his referring to
potential future events in Afghanistan (rather than
Germany),again making it difficult under German law to
convict him of incitement of people in Germany. In
addition, Sadat is married and has six children, four of
whom were born in Germany. This could further complicate
deportation proceedings should Sadat seek a stay on
humanitarian grounds.

Lost in Translation?
--------------


7. (SBU) Sadat rejects allegations that he has ties to the
Taliban or Al-Qaida. He also denies close and ongoing
contact with Hekmatyar, claiming the relationship dates back
to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan--a time when,
according to Sadat, Hekmatyar enjoyed U.S. support. Sadat
admits to a "friendly" telephone conversation with Hekmatyar
in April 2001 but denies any subsequent contact. Arguing
his case is merely one of misunderstanding, Sadat claims his
sermons were incorrectly translated and misconstrued.
Sadat's claim is contradicted, however, by some members of a
mosque where Sadat previously preached. They claim his
extremely radical views led to his dismissal from that
position. Sadat has appealed his deportation order to a
lower court in Offenbach; the court could rule in the coming
days. Under German law, Sadat must remain in Offenbach
until the courts rule.


8. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Berlin.

BODDE