Iran Closes German-Linked Institutes Amid Financial Fraud Allegations

Iran's judiciary has shut down branches of organizations linked to Germany, citing illegal activities and financial fraud. This has led to Germany summoning the Iranian ambassador. Reports of violations by other German-affiliated centers are under investigation. Germany had previously banned Islamic Centre Hamburg for radical Islamist activities.

Iran's judiciary has taken stringent action by closing two branches of organizations linked to Germany, due to allegations of illegal activities and financial fraud, according to the judiciary's Mizan news agency. This move has prompted a strong protest from Berlin, with the German foreign ministry summoning the Iranian ambassador.

Mizan released images on Tuesday showing security forces dismantling the banner of the German Language Institute of Tehran, an institution associated with the German embassy. Investigations into violations by other Germany-affiliated centers are currently ongoing, the agency added.

A spokesperson from Germany's foreign ministry condemned the crackdown on the language institute in an official statement, although other organizations were not mentioned. The spokesperson urged the new Iranian government to immediately allow the resumption of teaching activities at the institute.

In a related incident in July, Germany banned the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) and its subsidiary organizations for pursuing radical Islamist objectives, as announced by the interior ministry. The IZH was cited as a direct representative of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, aiming to foster an Islamic revolution within Germany.

In response to the closure of the IZH, Iran had summoned the German ambassador in Tehran as well.

(With inputs from agencies.)