German authorities have arrested seven suspected supporters of the IS terror group as part of an investigation into terrorist financing, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
At the same time, authorities conducted 19 raids in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as in one property in the Netherlands, the federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.
The individuals arrested are suspected of belonging to an international network that solicited financial donations for IS in Syria through platforms including Telegram and subsequently transferred them to the group or its intermediaries.
At least 65,000 euros ($71,552.00) were transferred in this manner, prosecutors said, adding that the money was used to support IS members imprisoned in Syria, in some cases allowing them to escape from prison camps.
The seven suspects are to appear on Wednesday and Thursday before a magistrate who will decide whether they are to remain in pre-trial detention.
5 dead, more than 80 missing after Philippine ferry fire
US military says it struck vessel in Caribbean, killing 3
At least 14 killed in explosion at weapons depot in Syria
US hits five Iranian oil tankers after attack on Navy ships
UK gives air traffic provider a week to probe outage that halted flights
Serbia's President Vucic dissolves parliament, calls snap elections
With large crowds attending, Norway lays King Harald to rest
Jordan intercepts 18 Iranian ballistic missiles
