Germany banned the Cologne-based "Islamic State" and 19 related groups, with a total of 1,100 members, making the first use of a new measure that allows the government to outlaw religious groups with possible links to terrorism. After the announcement, authorities carried out an estimated 200 searches in seven German states. Investigators have announced no direct links between the group and the Sept. 11 attacks, but have said members traveled to Afghanistan to meet with Osama bin Laden supporters in 1996 or 1997. The group, led by Turkish-born Muhammed Metin Kaplan, openly calls for the overthrow of secular governments and their replacement with Islamic ones, but German authorities had been unable to act against it because of strict laws protecting religious groups. Kaplan is believed to have a fortune worth millions. Nonetheless, he claimed social benefits in Cologne for many years until 2m Deutschmarks ($1.2m) in cash was found in his flat.
Guess their constitution isn't a suicide pact, either. Money just seems to stick to some preachers, doesn't it? Mullah Omar did well by himself, too. |