German prosecutors drop Muslim-preachers spy probe amid tensions with Turkey

German prosecutors have said that they are dropping a case against several Muslim preachers suspected of spying for Turkey. The probe had inflamed tensions between the two countries. The Muslim preachers targeted by the German investigation belonged to Ditib, an organization controlled by Ankara that manages some 900 mosques and religious centers in Germany. They were suspected of spying for Erdogan’s government on the movement of US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, AFP reported on Wednesday. Prosecutors had sought arrest warrants for seven suspects who are now residing in unknown locations, but a judge found that the individuals did not pose an urgent threat. Another seven individuals were cleared as allegations were not substantiated by evidence.