German domestic intelligence to probe Left Party and candidate Eralp

Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) plans to examine the ties of the Left Party (Die Linke) and Elif Eralp to “extremist” groups.

The party’s lead candidate in Berlin, Elif Eralp, stands accused of “meeting with members of a PKK front organisation” while the election campaign was ongoing.

According to a report in WELT, Eralp has come under scrutiny by the BfV. During a Bundestag hearing with the heads of Germany’s security agencies, BfV Vice-President Sinan Selen also addressed the Left Party in the capital and its links to “extremist and terrorist” groups.

“We need to examine certain local situations very closely,” Selen said.

The domestic intelligence agency plans to investigate the extent to which Eralp and other Left Party politicians, such as Bundestag member Ferat Kocak, have established connections with “terrorist groups” and other organisations.

On election night, for instance, clan figurehead Issa Remmo, who is alleged to have ties to organised crime, and Ibrahim Ibrahim, alleged to be a supporter of the PFLP, attended the Left Party’s celebration.

Most recently, Eralp also faced criticism over her past membership in the left-wing organisation “Rote Hilfe” (Red Aid).

It is highlighted that this organisation, among other activities, collected donations for Daniela Klette, who is on trial over allegations of being a member of the RAF.

According to reporting by Bild newspaper, Eralp met during the election campaign with a delegation comprising several Kurdish organisations. Members of NAV Berlin were also present at the meeting.

Security agencies consider this group to be a front organisation for the PKK, which is banned in Germany.

During the election campaign, Eralp said that she wanted to abolish the Berlin State Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

When questioned by Bild, Eralp refrained from commenting on her stance regarding the PKK.

The domestic intelligence agency, meanwhile, issued the following statement:

“The PKK continues to be the organisation with the largest membership and the greatest influence in the field of foreign-linked extremism and terrorism in Germany.”