Germany may have a reputation for efficiency and cleanliness, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its fair share of crime.
Major crime families operate around the world, and Germany is no different. Like in many parts of Europe, your average visitor is unlikely to bump into organised crime organisations, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.
As Brits pour into Germany for the Euros, concerns have been raised about Three Lions fans getting into clashes on the continent looking for a pilsner or two, but have been urged to “take Prince Louis’ advice” to keep out of trouble.
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While most of the concerns about clashes will be with rival fans, there are a number of influential crime groups believed to be operating in the country at the moment that Brits should be eager to steer well clear of.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Remmo clan is reported by DW to have around 500 members and is frequently regarded as the most notorious gang in the country.
In 2020 a member of the family, which is thought to originate from southern Turkey and Lebanon, and a number of associates were sentenced in connection with the theft of a 100kg gold coin from the Berlin Bode Museum in 2017 worth $1million which featured the face of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
The Abu-Chakers is a smaller operation, led by Arafat Abou-Chaker. Recently they have been a little more high profile, however. Arafat has been embroiled in a legal case against high-profile German rapper Bushido, who he previously managed.
Bushido has accused him of extortion and assault, however in May of this year the bulk of the heaviest charges were dropped. He was handed a £68,500 fine in a Berlin regional court following a “serious breach of trust” that saw him unlawfully make recordings.
(Image: DPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Bushido was under police protection for two years following his split with the Arab-German family, regarding which he is quoted as saying: “The thing with Arafat was like a forced marriage… He wanted us to continue. I would be his for the rest of my life,” DW reports.
The Miris family, often referred to as the “M-Clan,” is big in lower Saxony and some members are said to have close connections with the infamous motorcycle gang Mongols MC.
The groups in Germany are far from uniform, however with many reports saying that criminal chapters of the famous Hell’s Angels motorcycle club also operate in the central European country.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
According to the National News, as of 2022, there were 46 criminal gangs under investigation by German police. Of them, 15 were German in ‘dominant nationality’, 13 were from Turkey, six were predominantly Lebanese, three were Syrian and two were not associated at all with a particular nationality.
Security expert, professor Anthony Glees doesn’t think that British fans are heading out to cause any problems or have too much cause for worry about when it comes to running into violence. Following concerns ahead of England’s game against Serbia about possible clashes between the two sets of fans, Europe watched on in horror as a small pocket of England and Serbian fans clashed at a steak restaurant in Gelsenkirchen, which left a Brit and seven Serbs facing criminal charges.
The clash was seemingly an isolated incident, however, and widespread concerns of ongoing violence didn’t seem to come true.
To keep things that way, Professor Glees, however, suggested Brits follow advice from Prince Louis to stay out of trouble on all fronts while out in Germany.
He told the Daily Star: “It’s true that sometimes England fans can sometimes do daft things. (we’re expecting 40,000 to turn up if they can master the post-Brexit border arrangements). In theory, they may loose their judgement if they’ve had one or two steins too many but they’re equally likely to fall asleep.
“No or low alcohol carries risks of its own. I’d not bother if I were the German cops.”
He continued: “A few good German beers could just as easily settle the English fans’ mood. I don’t believe we have specific intelligence that any of them are going to Germany to cause trouble. We’d all want them to have a good time.
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
“However, they must be very careful not to be provoked. That’s the big danger.
“The England team should follow Prince Louis’s advice and eat double portions of food. The England fans should avoid double servings of beer.”
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