World

German Court Rules ‘Sharia Police’ Patrols Are Legal

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Jacob Bojesson Foreign Correspondent
Font Size:

A German court ruled Monday seven members of a vigilante “sharia police” did not break the law when they patrolled the streets and ordered people to stop drinking, gambling and listening to music.

The Salafist group led by one of Germany’s most prominent Muslim preachers, Sven Lau, caused public outcry by going on vigilante patrols in the city of Wuppertal in 2014. Prosecutors have struggled to build a case against the group despite a law originally aimed at Nazis, which prohibits street movements in political uniforms.

The group patrolled in orange vests with “Sharia police” printed on the back. The judges said the uniforms weren’t “suggestively militant” or had an “intimidating effect,” citing an eye witness who confused the group for a bachelor party.

The verdict is not final and can be appealed.

A waitress in Nice, France, filed a criminal complaint in June after allegedly getting assaulted by two men because she refused to stop serving alcohol during the Muslim holiday of Ramadan.

Other sharia patrols have been reported in major European cities such as Hamburg, London and Copenhagen.

Follow Jacob on Twitter

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.