Rocker group: Horst Seehofer forbids Ottomans Germania BC

The group Ottomans Germania BC is illegal. The association had a serious threat to the general public, and the interior minister justified the ban.

Rocker group: Horst Seehofer forbids Ottomans Germania BC

Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) banned rocker-like group Ottomans Germania BC and prohibited m any activity. Members of association had committed serious crimes, Ministry shared. The purpose and activity of Ottomans Germania violated criminal law.

In morning, police officers searched rooms of members in Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria and Hesse. "The association has a serious threat to individual legal assets and general public", communication said. "Anyone who rejects rule of law cannot expect us to be sorry." The ban is based on law of Association.

All sub-organisations are also affected by ban. Currently 16 local groups, so-called chapters, are active in federal area – mainly in regions of Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Cologne. The total number of members estimates police at 300.

Process in Stuttgart

The judiciary has been investigating group for at least two years. Already 2016 and in March 2017 raids took place. The aim was to illuminate structure and management of association and to achieve interaction with its sub-organisations. The lessons learned were basis for ban.

Since March, a trial has been underway in Stuttgart against eight suspected members, including three, which are expected to be world's highest management level. Among or things, men were accused of attempted murder, blackmail, drug trafficking, forced prostitution, and pimping and deprivation of liberty.

Ottomans Germania BC is a boxing club – group has nothing to do with motorcycles, but it has been given same structure as established motorcycle clubs like Hells Angels. The individual hierarchies of association also had same names as president or sergeant-at-arms. The members also wore so-called cowls, vests with emblems and badges of club, which are modelled on those of or clubs. With prohibition of club, it is also forbidden to carry such cowls publicly.

Club to receive money from Turkish state

The club was founded in April 2015 by Turkish tribes. The members were recruited mainly by bouncers and martial athletes with Turkish roots. The club was fastest growing group in German rocker scene, it had according to its own statement 2,000 members.

The group left traces in web mainly in form of martial videos and hard music. She also pursued political goals: according to a documentary by ZDF, rockers claimed that y wanted to take over "entire country". The Bavarian radio wrote in a speech about Ottomans that y were worshippers of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and were against Erdoğan-critical compatriots in Germany. The association is to be supported financially by Turkish state. During events of Erdoğan in Germany, Ottomans appeared in larger groups.

The Ottomans took part in various places in Germany to make demonstrations, public appearances of many members in order to dispute established clubs such as Hells Angels regions. Four rocker groups in particular are represented in Germany, in addition to Hells Angels, oldest club of its kind, it is Outlaws, Bandidos and MC body.

Date Of Update: 10 July 2018, 12:02