BERLIN: German federal prosecutors have announced the arrest of two individuals suspected of being members of the Iran-backed Shiite movement Hezbollah.
The suspects, identified as Lebanese national Hassan M. and German-Lebanese dual citizen Abdul-Latif W., were detained in northern Germany, according to a statement from the federal prosecutor’s office.
The arrests were made on charges of recruiting and organizing activities for a foreign terrorist organization. Abdul-Latif W. is believed to have joined Hezbollah no later than 2004.
While Hassan M. allegedly became involved with the group in 2016. Both individuals are now facing charges of “membership of a foreign terrorist organization.”
Suspects represents Hezbollah
Authorities accuse the suspects of representing Hezbollah in the Bremen region of northern Germany, where they were allegedly responsible for handling organization and logistics for the group.
The investigation is ongoing, and the two individuals were scheduled to appear before a judge later on Wednesday to determine whether they would be remanded in custody.
Hezbollah’s military wing is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, Britain, and the majority of member states in the Arab League.
In 2020, Germany banned the activities of Hezbollah’s political wing, which has been known to organize anti-Israeli demonstrations.
