Iran Closes 2 German Affiliated Organizations Including The Language Institute, Berlin Inflamed

UNSPLASH/mostafa ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Iranian court closed two branches of the German-affiliated organization due to illegal activities and financial fraud.

Mizan's court news agency said the action was protested by Berlin by summoning Iran's ambassador.

Reported by Reuters, Mizan published an image on Tuesday, August 20, showing security forces lowering a banner of the German Language Institute in Tehran, which is linked to the German embassy.

"In addition, there are reports of violations committed by other centers affiliated with Germany and investigations into this matter are ongoing," continued Mizan.

A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry condemned the actions against the language institution in a statement that did not mention any other organization.

The Tehran ambassador will be summoned in connection with the incident, the spokesman said, adding: "We call on Iran's new government to immediately allow teaching to continue."

In July, Germany banned the Hamburg Islamic Center (IZH) and its affiliated organizations from pursuing radical Islamic goals, according to the interior ministry.