BERLIN - German police said Wednesday they had mounted raids nationwide against more than 50 suspected Turkish extremists working for a banned organization that aims to overthrow the government in Ankara.
More than 350 police officers on Tuesday searched 59 homes and businesses belonging to alleged members of the extreme-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).
The authorities seized 40 computers, 200 computer disks and memory sticks, and boxes of propaganda material, police said in a statement.
A 44-year-old man accused of being a high-ranking functionary in the group, which has been banned in Germany since 1998, was held in custody.
A 45-year-old man and his 44-year-old wife, also considered leading figures in the organization, were questioned in the southern city of Augsburg and released, along with 49 other suspects.
The DHKP-C is accused of staging several attacks in Turkish cities and is classified as a terrorist organization by the European Union. It is believed to have about 800 members.
Police said the suspects targeted Tuesday were accused of collecting donations and distributing propaganda material for the organization.
11/29/2006 14:18 GMT