Germany bans 2 ultraconservative Islamic groups

German authorities have banned two more ultraconservative Islamic groups in a continuing crackdown on Salafist organisations allegedly involved in activities that violate the country8217;s constitution.

Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich said in a statement that police raided buildings Wednesday in the states of North-Rhine Westphalia and Hesse connected to the two groups,DawaFFM and Islamic Audios. He also extended a ban imposed last year on Millatu Ibrahim to include a linked group,An-Nussrah.

Friedrich says investigators found the groups sought 8220;in an aggressive and militant way to change our society and replace democracy with a Salafist system8221; ruled by Islamic Sharia law.

Germany stepped up monitoring of Salafists,who number some 4,000 in the country,after they clashed with police in Bonn last year at a far-right demonstration.