US embassy cable - 05FRANKFURT7398

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