Iran Shuts Down German-Linked Institutes Amid Legal Disputes

Iran's judiciary has closed two branches of organisations linked to Germany due to allegations of 'illegal activities and financial fraud'. This action follows Germany's ban on the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) for 'pursuing radical Islamist goals'. Investigations into other Germany-affiliated centres are ongoing.

Iran's judiciary has shut down two branches of organisations associated with Germany over accusations of 'illegal activities and financial fraud,' according to a report from the judiciary's Mizan news agency on Tuesday. This move comes in the wake of Germany's recent ban on an Islamic centre in Hamburg.

The agency published images showing security forces removing the banner of the German Language Institute of Tehran, which is tied to the German embassy. 'Additionally, there have been reports of violations by other Germany-affiliated centres and investigations in this matter are ongoing,' Mizan noted.

In July, Germany prohibited the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) and its subsidiary organisations, accusing them of 'pursuing radical Islamist goals,' as per the interior ministry. The ministry stated that the IZH functioned as a direct emissary of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with aims to instigate an Islamic revolution in Germany. Following the shutdown of the IZH, Iran summoned the German ambassador in Tehran.

(With inputs from agencies.)