Bavaria bans skinhead group

MUNICH, Germany, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Germany's Bavarian Ministry of the Interior has banned the "Fraenkische Aktionsfront" skinhead group.

Bavarian Minister of the Interior Gunther Beckstein said Thursday that the group is closely aligned with Nazism. He said the group is a politically active skinhead association based around Nuremberg.

Police searched 15 apartments belonging to members of the group Thursday morning, following the announcement of the ban.

No one was arrested in the raids, during which police seized computers, disks, five starting guns, two telescoping nightsticks, posters and stickers.

Charges were filed against group members for possessing the starting guns, which are regulated in Germany, without registration.

The group has circulated flyers and stickers bearing anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi slogan.

The Fraenkische Aktionsfront (Frankish Action Front) is thought to have around 40 members and have begun in 2001. It allegedly has ties to skinhead groups across Germany, including some associated with plans to attack a Munich Jewish center.