German police raid group plotting to overthrow Eritrean government

In Germany, police conducted extensive raids across six states as part of an operation targeting a group connected to efforts aimed at overthrowing the Eritrean government. This operation occurred on a Wednesday, with over 200 federal and local police officers searching 19 properties in various regions including Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and Rhineland-Palatinate. These searches were part of a broader investigation into allegations against 17 suspects, accused of founding or being members of the German branch of Brigade N'Hamedu, which German authorities classify as a terrorist organization. The German branch of Brigade N'Hamedu has reportedly been active since at least 2022, during which time it was involved in violent incidents at Eritrean festivals held in Germany, specifically in Giessen in August 2022 and again in August 2023, as well as at a seminar hosted by an Eritrean association in Stuttgart that took place in September 2023. Investigations indicated that many of these suspects held senior roles within the organization, which is believed to be part of an international network seeking to destabilize the Eritrean regime. The violence at these events has led to injuries among numerous police officers, some seriously. In the course of these operations, no arrests were made; however, the investigations also pointed to a person in the Netherlands suspected of holding a senior position within Brigade N'Hamedu. This individual had recently been sentenced to several years in prison by a Dutch court for involvement in violent clashes in The Hague in February of the previous year. The prosecutor's office in Germany did not disclose the names of the suspects due to local privacy laws. Eritrea is notoriously known as one of the most oppressive countries globally. An increasing number of exiled Eritreans have retaliated against the Eritrean government by attacking its diaspora events in Europe and North America. Many refugees claim that these assaults serve as protests against what they perceive as an unjust regime back home. Additionally, some exiles assert that the revenue generated from these festivals indirectly supports the Eritrean government. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of Eritreans have fled their country, navigating perilous journeys through regions like Sudan and North Africa, ultimately striving for a better life in Europe.