Germany bans Hezbollah-linked fundraising group
BERLIN (AP) — German authorities have banned an organization they say has raised millions of dollars for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which the European Union considers a terrorist organization.
Emily Haber, a deputy interior minister, said police raided 19 locations early Tuesday in six German states used by the so-called "Orphaned Children Project — Lebanon."
They seized 40 boxes of evidence, including Hezbollah paraphernalia, "many kilograms" of gold coins and bank accounts containing about 104,000 euros ($143,000) in total.
Haber says the organization has about 80 members in Germany and has raised some 3.3 million euros ($4.5 million) for the Shahid Foundation since 2007. The Lebanon-based organization, whose name means "martyrs' foundation," has well-known links to Hezbollah and provides financial support to the families of slain fighters.
