Ibrahim El-Azzazi is one of the stars in the Salafist influencer scene. The self-proclaimed scholar has more than 100,000 followers on the social media platform TikTok. According to the domestic secret service, the YouTube videos of the man, who is registered in Gelsenkirchen, have reached more than ten million views.
In a recently published situation report on Islamism, the North Rhine-Westphalian Office for the Protection of the Constitution warned that the extremist Salafist spectrum was preparing the “ground for radicalization processes.” The scene also offers recruitment potential for jihadist groups ready to carry out attacks. Social media played a central role in the spread of Salafist messages.
El Azzazi is one of the most important actors in the scene. In his speeches he calls for “a demarcation of Muslims from the ‘Kuffar’ (infidels).” Apparently in order to gain new followers, he also maintains contacts with criminal clan members. The Baden-Württemberg Office for the Protection of the Constitution attests that El Azzazi is “playing the entire Salafist agitation field”. He rejects equal rights for men and women as well as “man-made” laws.
In his short clips, the 27-year-old says that women are “guarded and protected” in Islam. One of the husband’s duties is that “if he hits her, he doesn’t hit her in the face.”
Now the Salafist propagandist with Egyptian roots is on trial for bodily harm and sexual abuse. The Essen public prosecutor’s office accuses him of having beaten and raped his wife, who was married according to Islamic rites.
A spokeswoman for the Essen Regional Court confirmed in response to a request from WELT that El-Azzazi is said to have injured the “victim”, as it is called in official German, in the hand in November 2021 with a so-called kubotan – a short stick designed as a keychain that is usually used as a blow amplifier.
On another occasion, he strangled her neck so that she “couldn’t breathe for about a minute.” In February 2022, El Azzazi is said to have penetrated the woman’s vagina with his hand against her will. He then raped her. Around two weeks later, according to the indictment, El-Azzazi undressed the woman against her will – and abused her again.
An investigating judge recognized a strong suspicion of a crime in the case. El-Azzazi was taken into custody on the basis of an arrest warrant issued on February 29. He was only released on the first day of the trial before the Essen Regional Court about a week ago, subject to conditions. He must report to the authorities regularly.
It is unclear whether El Azzazi will be convicted. His defense attorney, Essen lawyer Roland Rautenberger, told WELT that the victim had made it clear in her non-public statement in court that his client had not acted against her will. He is seeking an acquittal. El Azzazi has not yet commented on the matter in the proceedings.
According to the Essen Regional Court, the next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 24. According to a spokeswoman, the court could already pass a verdict on that day.
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