German Left Party MP Ferat Koçak resigns from interior committee over Remmo clan contacts
German Left Party MP Ferat Koçak admitted mistakes in contacts with the Remmo organized crime family and resigned from the Bundestag Interior Committee. He retains his anti-fascism spokesperson role. The scandal, which includes a photo with an activist who praised a killed Hamas leader, threatens the Left Party's coalition negotiations in Berlin.
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Clan Expert Mocks German Politician for Ignorance of Remmo Family Ties
In an article published by Die Welt on October 2, 2026, clan expert Thomas Heise analyzes the controversial contacts between Left Party politician Ferat Koçak and members of the Remmo family, a prominent organized crime clan in Berlin. Heise expresses disbelief that Koçak, who deals with clan-related issues in the Bundestag, claims not to know who Issa Remmo is. Heise states, 'You deal with this topic in the Bundestag, and then you don't know who Issa Remmo is? I slid under the table laughing.' The article highlights Heise's criticism of Koçak's alleged lack of knowledge and suggests that showing remorse would be a first good step. The piece is presented as a video analysis on the WELT platform, focusing on the political and security implications of such contacts.
Left Party MP Koçak admits Remmo family errors, keeps anti-fascism post amid coalition concerns
Ferat Koçak, a directly elected Bundestag member for Berlin-Neukölln from the Left Party (Die Linke), has admitted mistakes in his contacts with the Remmo organized crime family. In a Zeit interview, he disclosed chats with Firas Remmo and acknowledged naivety. He has given up his seat on the interior committee but retains his role as spokesperson for anti-fascism and anti-racism, a decision defended by parliamentary group leaders Sören Pellmann and Heidi Reichinnek. The controversy escalated after Issa Remmo appeared uninvited at a Left Party election party, followed by leaked chats showing Koçak sending respectful greetings to Remmo's father. Koçak also faces criticism for posting a photo with Ibrahim Ibrahim, who praised a killed Hamas leader. Thuringian Left MP Katharina König-Preuss had called for Koçak's resignation but now refuses further public comment, frustrated by the party leadership's silence. Party leaders Ines Schwertner and Luigi Pantisano have asked members not to escalate the issue publicly. The scandal threatens the Left Party's ability to form a coalition government in Berlin with the Greens and SPD, as initial exploratory talks began on October 1, 2026.
Read sourceGerman MP Ferat Koçak contacted by Firas Remmo during interview photo shoot, says WELT analyst
During a photo session for a newspaper interview, German Bundestag member Ferat Koçak of the Left Party was unexpectedly contacted via video call by Firas Remmo, a figure associated with organized crime networks. Dorothea Schupelius, WELT-TV's politics chief, commented on the incident, stating that it reveals a 'very large entanglement network' and that the situation is 'very serious.' She warned that if a pressure situation now arises for Koçak, it could become dangerous. The article highlights the potential risks and implications of the contact between the politician and the Remmo clan member, suggesting deep connections that could compromise Koçak's position.
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German MP Ferat Kocak faces new questions after meeting with clan member Firas Remmo
German Bundestag member Ferat Kocak (Die Linke) promised transparency regarding his contacts with the Remmo organized crime family and anti-Israel activist Ibrahim Ibrahim, but a meeting with a reporter from Die Zeit raised further questions. According to the Zeit report, Kocak initially sought smartphone donations for an Antifa youth group and accepted an offer from Firas Remmo, son of notorious clan figure Issa Remmo. Kocak claims he did not know who he was communicating with, stating 'I swear on everything.' He later met Issa Remmo in person, describing the situation as 'overwhelming.' Despite promising distance, Kocak continued contact, sending Firas Remmo a video of a Bundestag speech and asking him to share it, later calling this 'maybe a mistake.' He also sent a warm voice message declining a wedding invitation, saying 'I kiss your heart, brother.' Kocak has now given up his seat on the Interior Committee, citing a 'hurtful and discriminatory' debate. He denies granting or receiving any advantages from individuals linked to organized crime.
Read sourceDebate after election victory: What is behind the accusations against the Berlin Left Party
Following the Left Party's victory in the Berlin state election with 25.7% of the vote, the party faces serious allegations regarding antisemitism and contacts with criminals. The controversy centers on Ferat Koçak, a Left Party MP from Berlin-Neukölln, who posed on the election night party with Ibrahim Ibrahim, a figure who promotes the PFLP terrorist organization and praised killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Another guest was Issa Remmo, a member of a family involved in organized crime. The article examines the internal divisions within the Berlin Left Party, particularly in the Neukölln district, where membership has tripled and a pro-Palestinian faction has grown stronger since the Gaza war. Critics within the party, including former Bundestag Vice President Petra Pau, have called for consequences. CSU leader Markus Söder threatened to cut financial aid to Berlin if the Left Party joins the government. The article explores whether the party has an antisemitism problem and notes that some radical members may be deliberately sabotaging a potential coalition with the SPD and Greens.
German Left Party official vows probe after lawmaker's alleged contacts with clan figures and Hamas supporter
The German Left Party (Die Linke) is facing a scandal after allegations emerged against Berlin lawmaker Ferat Koçak regarding his contacts with individuals from the clan milieu and Ibrahim Ibrahim, an activist described as hostile to Israel and a supporter of the October 7 Hamas terror attack. Federal managing director Janis Ehling announced a transparent investigation, stating in a WELT TV interview that the party will 'transparently process' the allegations and disclose what happened. Ehling expressed 'zero understanding' for Ibrahim's appearance at a Left Party election party and emphasized a 'clear dividing line' against groups supporting the Hamas attack. However, he noted that expelling party members is 'very, very difficult' within the Left Party. Berlin state chairwoman Kerstin Wolter rejected accusations that the party is antisemitic, calling the criticism 'overblown.' The scandal unfolds amid broader political developments in Germany, including coalition negotiations in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and internal CDU debates following electoral losses.
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