Germany charges four Russians over ISIS funding network

The German Prosecutor’s Office has brought charges against four Russian nationals suspected of raising funds for the Islamic State (ISIS).

Three of the individuals were arrested on July 25 of the previous year, while the fourth was apprehended on January 28, 2025, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

According to the investigation, the accused joined a criminal group in 2022 and were tasked with collecting money for ISIS in Germany and other European countries. The donations were primarily gathered through social media platforms and channeled via intermediaries to group members abroad.

The funds were mostly intended for women involved in ISIS within Kurdish camps and for the group’s fighters.

The German Prosecutor’s Office has stated that the accused helped ISIS secure over €174,000.

Note that, ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), also known as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), is a militant extremist group that emerged from the remnants of al-Qaeda in Iraq. It gained global prominence in 2014 when it declared itself a caliphate under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

It became notorious for its brutal tactics, including mass executions, terrorism, and widespread human rights violations, particularly against religious and ethnic minorities.

At its peak, ISIS controlled large areas of Iraq and Syria but has since lost most of its territory due to military efforts by international coalitions and local forces. Despite its territorial losses, ISIS remains a significant terrorist threat, with a presence in various regions and a network of affiliated groups worldwide.

By Aghakazim Guliyev