Germany bans radical Muslim group

German officials have banned a radical Muslim organization over its efforts to radicalize youth and aid Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria. The group, known as “The true religion” or “Read,” has about 500 members in the country, according to officials. It targets youth by holding large rallies and handing out copies of the Quran printed in German. As officials announced the ban, police conducted raids on 190 sites connected to the group, collecting 21,000 copies of the Quran from a warehouse near the western city of Cologne. Police also seized documents, hard drives, smartphones, and weapons but did not make any arrests. Officials estimate more than 140 youths radicalized by the now-banned group are among about 850 people who have traveled from Germany to Iraq and Syria to join Islamic State.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.