Berlin imam arrested for supporting IS
October 15, 2015
The prosecutor's office in Berlin and the police on Thursday said Murat A., also known as Gadzhimurad K., recruited members for the "Islamic State" (IS) on the Internet and also sent weapons' accessories, such as night vision goggles and telescopes, to Islamist groups in Syria.
Murat A. was originally from Dagestan and was a Russian national, officers said.
The 30-year-old is also reported to have executed his duties as an imam at the Fussilet 33 Islamic center in Berlin's Moabit area.
Officials said they began suspecting Murat A. after he spoke about IS in an interview with the online magazine "Medusa" in May.
The accused was also reported to have close connections with the head of Fussilet 33, Ismet D., who was arrested in January, and the president of the group's council of elders, Emin F.
Both were accused of having supported IS and smuggling jihadist fighters.
mg/cmk (dpa, epd, AFP)