"'These bans are one of the most important instruments a democracy has to prevent money flowing to terrorist organizations,' Hans-Jakob Schindler from the transatlantic think tank Counter Extremism Project (CEP) told DW. However, he added: 'It is always difficult, because in Germany associations and non-profit organizations enjoy a certain degree of protection, and investigations by authorities such as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution are limited when it comes to finances.'

The line is crossed when violence is openly called for or endorsed. 'As long as individuals restrain themselves in this regard, it will be very difficult,' Schindler explained, adding that suspects usually pay close attention to what they say, so as not to attract attention from the authorities."