COLOGNE, Germany — A Kurdish biker gang has emerged in Cologne, Germany. The group calls itself MC Median Empire, after the ancient Medes, who some believe were the forefathers of the modern Kurds. “MC” stands for a type of powerful horse used by the Medes.
The Kurdish group has posted on their website that the Medes were warriors and mighty knights, and that the only difference between them and the prehistoric tribe is that they ride motorcycles instead of horses. Members wear leather jackets stamped with the MC Median Empire logo.
The most notorious biker gangs in Germany are the Hells Angels and the Bandidos. Members of these gangs are known for their violence, which has terrorized entire cities in Germany. Often these rival clubs are involved in organized crime including robbery, arms dealing, drug trafficking and prostitution.
German police expect trouble between the MC Median Empire and other biker gangs in the country. The Hells Angels are known to not accept other gangs operating in their territory.
At the beginning of this year, four people were injured when a dispute broke out between the Hells Angels and the Bandidos. Four months later, a member of the Bandidos was gunned down by the Hells Angels.
The MC Median Empire has not yet been involved in any illegal activities, though the group is under police surveillance.
A spokesperson for the German police said, “We will continue to watch this group just like other gangs.”
The Hells Angels were formed in 1948 in California and expanded into Europe in the 1960s. It has 32 branches around the world. The German branch in Hamburg was established in 1973, after which other biker gangs such as the Bandidos set up in the country.
Rudaw
