Zurich cantonal authorities say they have concrete indications that actions by the Salafist group ‘True Religion’ are aimed at recruiting supporters for "forbidden activities".
On Friday, the cantonal justice office said it recommended banning the distribution of Korans by the group. Some of True Religion members are under criminal investigation, following a ban and police raid of the group in Germany last year.
There is no obligation for any canton or community to make open spaces available to organisations which do not share our values, the statement from the Zurich authorities explainedexternal link. This allows for the ban, without breaking any laws. The decision was based on a legal opinion, it added.
It is not known how many distribution campaigns have been carried out in canton Zurich, but it is clear that Winterthur is an important town for the group. The authorities there said they would analyse the recommendations. Winterthur had previously considering banning the distribution of Korans by the group but had not done so as it was decided a ban could only come after a proven criminal offence. [swissinfo.ch] Read more
