Berlin’s Remmo crime family has established deep roots in the German capital, mirroring the historical reach of Al Capone’s Chicago syndicate during the interwar period. Originating from the Mhallami Arab ethnic group with roots in southeastern Turkey and Lebanon, the organization has evolved since the early 1990s from street-level extortion, weapons trafficking and drug trafficking into sophisticated corporate fraud and high-profile cultural thefts.
Berlin Crime Syndicate Remmo Clan Extends Influence Amid Political Shift
The syndicate’s notable operations include the 2017 theft of a 100-kilogram gold coin from Berlin’s Bode Museum and a 2019 heist of jewel-encrusted antiquities valued at more than €100 million from the old Saxon royal treasury in Dresden. Now, the family is attempting to use its standing to influence Berlin municipal politics, complicating matters for local political figures following recent state elections.
The political dynamic in Berlin shifted following a regional election where Elif Eralp, a 45-year-old politician and daughter of political refugees from Turkey, led the radical Left party Die Linke to significant gains. Capturing roughly 26% of the vote, Eralp’s campaign focused on younger voters under 35 with a platform that largely borrowed the methods of Zoran Mamdani — the democratic socialist mayor of New York — including proposals to expropriate tens of thousands of apartments from corporate landlords, alongside calls to scale back police funding and surveillance powers.
While Eralp has distanced herself from more extreme American-style slogans, other high-profile figures within her party have publicly used phrases like “defund the police” in speeches and social media posts. These platform elements complicate efforts to forge a left-leaning governing coalition with the Greens and the Social Democratic Party (SPD).
Clan Leadership and Political Intersections
The Remmo family’s public posture following the election has drawn scrutiny. Shortly after polls closed, 58-year-old clan leader Issa Remmo attended an election night party hosted by the Neukölln branch of Die Linke.
The following day, Firas Remmo, one of Issa Remmo’s sons, shared an image on Instagram depicting what was presented as a screenshot of a correspondence with Ferat Kočak, a 47-year-old Die Linke lawmaker for Neukölln known for his prominent pro-Palestinian advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Remmo clan?
The Remmo clan is an organized crime syndicate operating in Berlin, originating from the Mhallami Arab minority with roots in Turkey and Lebanon. The group has been linked to major contraband smuggling, high-value museum thefts, and financial crimes.
What political party did Elif Eralp represent in Berlin?
Elif Eralp represented the radical Left party Die Linke, securing strong support among younger voters with a platform emphasizing tenant protections and curbs on corporate real estate holdings.
How has the Remmo family interacted with local politicians?
Senior clan figures have publicly commented on local elections, with clan leader Issa Remmo attending a Die Linke local branch event and expressing rhetorical support for the party’s style over traditional political establishments.
Keep reading