Issa Remmo — a figure described by German media as the head of one of Berlin’s most notorious Arab-origin criminal clans — attended an imam conference at the European Parliament in Brussels, which focused in part on combating antisemitism. This was first reported by Jüdische Allgemeine, and his presence was confirmed by a group photo taken by the ELNET (European Leadership Network) organization. In the picture, Remmo is seen surrounded by representatives of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities: he is listening to speeches and applauding when the topic of countering antisemitism is raised. The very appearance of a man whose name in Germany is linked to a long list of criminal cases within the walls of the European Parliament in the role of, essentially, an honored guest, sparked widespread resonance and criticism.
Who is Issa Remmo and what is known about the clan
Issa Remmo is a 58-year-old resident of Berlin. According to various estimates, the Remmo clan numbers between 500 and 1,000 people, while the core family living in the Neukölln district of Berlin comprises about 103 individuals. Not all family members are engaged in criminal activity, but a number of the clan's representatives have repeatedly been involved in serious crimes. The most high-profile case was the robbery of Dresden’s Green Vault (Grünes Gewölbe) treasury: in 2023, five young men from the Remmo clan were convicted of stealing jewels from the museum.
How a criminal figure ended up in the European Parliament
According to Bild, Remmo attended a conference dedicated to combating islamism and antisemitism. The invitation was reportedly sent to him by French politician and European People's Party (EPP) member Céline Imart, and Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, who is known for his work in fostering interreligious dialogue and his firm stance against terrorism. Apparently, the meeting was organized by ELNET, an organization aimed at strengthening ties between Europe and Israel, together with the French conservative lawmaker. Reports indicate that the organizers initially did not know that Remmo was linked to a criminal clan.
Organizers' reaction and apologies
After the fact of Remmo's presence became public, Céline Imart apologized to anyone who might have been offended by his appearance at the event. The organizers emphasized that at the time of the invitation, information about the guest's criminal reputation was unknown to them. Nevertheless, the incident reignited the debate over how participant screenings are conducted at European institutions and how open such venues are to figures with controversial biographies.
Meeting with Marek Halter and statements on antisemitism
According to Jüdische Allgemeine, Issa Remmo spoke in Brussels with French Jewish writer Marek Halter about antisemitism. Remmo stated: «I am not an imam, but one thing I can say: we are all brothers in this world. Let's live with each other, together. What is the problem? Love will win, and terror will lose». According to him, antisemitism should no longer exist; Marek Halter reportedly agreed with this, adding: «Inshallah».
Context: previous scandals surrounding Remmo
Previously, Issa Remmo made headlines after attending an election party of the Left Party (Die Linke) in Berlin's Neukölln, where his son Firas allegedly chatted with Left Party Bundestag member Ferat Koчак. The local party branch in Neukölln assured that it has no political or personal ties to Remmo. Remmo himself stated in several conversations, including in Brussels, that he was disappointed with the Left Party. Thus, the Brussels incident became a new episode in a series of public situations where Remmo finds himself at the center of attention for politicians and the media.
