ZCZC
BFF-34
FRANCE-INVESTIGATION-RAIDS-ISLAM
French police raid Shiite Islamic centre
LILLE, France, Oct 2, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – About 200 police raided the
headquarters in northern France of a Shiite Islamic association and the homes
of its leaders who are suspected of supporting “terrorist organisations”,
security sources said.
The operation against the Zahra Centre France in Grande Synthe, a suburb of
the port city of Dunkirk, was staged as part of the “prevention of terrorism”
procedures, regional authorities said in a statement.
A security source told AFP that 11 people had been arrested, while French
authorities also froze the financial assets of the centre which is headed by
Yahia Gouasmi, who is known for his anti-Zionist views and links to Iran.
Police have been closely following the activities of the Zahra Centre
“because of the strong support by its leaders for several terrorist
organisations and in favour of movements backing ideas that are contrary to
the values” of France.
On its website, the association says its purpose since its foundation in
2009 has been “to make known the message of Islam through the eyes of the
Prophet and his family.”
It was unclear whether the arrests were linked to a suspected plot in
France to bomb a gathering of Iranian opposition group the National Council
of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) in June.
Police swooped on six people in Belgium, France and Germany after
authorities revealed the alleged plot, including an Iranian diplomat.
France is still on high alert after a wave of Islamist attacks since 2015
in which 246 people have lost their lives.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1412 hrs