POLICE ARREST THIRTY-EIGHT IN RAIDS AGAINST

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FRANKFURT 007398

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/AGS, S/CT, EUR/PGI, AND EB/ESC/TFS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/29/2015
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM KISL GM
SUBJECT: POLICE ARREST THIRTY-EIGHT IN RAIDS AGAINST
"CRIMINAL ISLAMISTS" ACROSS GERMAN STATE OF HESSEN



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Police targeted criminal elements of the
Muslim community in large-scale raids across the German state
of Hessen on September 27. In total, thirty-eight
individuals were arrested--although none were confirmed
extremists. Police stated that the raids were based on
ongoing investigations and that those involved were
cooperative. A spokesman from the Muslim community was less
sanguine, claiming the operation went overboard and could
hurt community relations. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) Hessen police arrested thirty-eight individuals
during a statewide "dragnet" raid directed against criminals
suspected of providing logistical and financial support for
Muslim extremists. Authorities conducted searches and ID
checks on Muenchner Strasse (near the main train station) in
Frankfurt, as well as in Wiesbaden, Wetzlar, Giessen, Bad
Vilbel, Kassel, Offenbach, and other cities in Hessen.
According to Hessen authorities, the operation targeted
Muslims suspected of involvement in drug dealing, alien
smuggling, identification fraud (i.e., immigration
documents),and weapons violations. A police spokesman
stated that these types of offenses are often planned in
Turkish eateries and "call shops" (small businesses and cafes
that offer phone booths, telephone and Internet services, and
regularly serve as gathering places for the immigrant
community).

Interior Minister's Statement
--------------


3. (SBU) Referring to the Madrid bombings, Hessen Interior
Minister Volker Bouffier (Christian Democrats) stated
experience has shown that terrorists often have a history of
ordinary crimes like theft or drug smuggling. He said
extremists often obtain false identity documents at
establishments such as Doener stands (Turkish sandwiches),
Internet cafes, and call shops before committing these
crimes. Bouffier said profits from the drug deals and other
illegal activities then help finance extremists. Minister
Bouffier reported that 500 policemen checked 1,260 persons in
twenty cities; thirty-three of those checked did not possess
proper residence permits and were arrested.

Law Enforcement Perspective
--------------


4. (SBU) A spokesman for the Frankfurt police stated the
raids followed lengthy investigations and that police actions
were commensurate with the crimes. The spokesman also added
that the purpose was not to stigmatize Muslims, and therefore
authorities did not enter mosques (there are ten on Muenchner
Strasse alone). A spokesperson for the city of Frankfurt's
Office for Multicultural Affairs (AMKA) told us that despite
the scale of the operation (Muenchner Strasse and side
streets were blocked for hours),the residents remained calm
and were cooperative. Police had consulted with AMKA in
preparation for the raid and decided to avoid the mosques.
Initial results from the raid suggest that although
thirty-eight people were arrested for various violations
(mostly immigration issues),police did not claim to have
arrested any suspected of terrorism. Police spokespersons
stated that on the whole the public cooperated throughout the
operation. A member of the local foreigner's council (who
lives on Muenchner Strasse and observed the raid) told us
that it was the biggest such operation in twenty-five years.


A Muslim Leadership Perspective
--------------


5. (C) The press reported that initial response from within
the Muslim community was limited to minor criticism of
disruption to businesses during the raid. Prominent Turkish
community representative Yassir Bilgin (located in Giessen,
north of Frankfurt) (protect) used much stronger language to
critique the raids, however. Bilgin, founder of the European
Turkish Union and head of two other German-Turkish
organizations, told us that he is extremely upset about the
raid and believes it will create distrust on both sides and
complicate dialogue. Bilgin, who is a Christian Democrat
(CDU) and friend of Hessen Minister President Roland Koch,
was in Turkey when the raid took place and only learned about
it through the press. He said no Muslim organization had
been briefed before the raid and that the actions went "way
overboard" and would stigmatize Turks--although few Turks
were actually arrested. He also feels that some police are
pushing the Hessen Interior Ministry to take a harsher line
against Muslims.


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

BODDE