The prize gala of a men's magazine, Berlin, October 2010. Red carpet, glistening lights, guests in evening wear. Cameramen dance around a main character smilingly showing a trophy: Bushido, artist, scandal rappers, multimillionaire. Only a few yards away is a man watching the scene in silence: Arafat Abou-Chaker.

As SPIEGEL TV reporters approach him, he reacts aggressively, pushing the camera aside and hissing, "Do not mention my name."

Even on such small occasions, the aura of violence that connects both men has flashed in recent years. An aura that could even lead to a gangster war on the streets of the capital. Arafat Abou-Chaker is one of the heads of the Abou Chaker family. The clan has been living in Berlin for decades, and several members are considered highly criminal. In total, twelve large Arab families dominate Berlin's underworld, a growing threat to public safety.

In the video: SPIEGEL TV about Arab clans in Berlin

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MIRROR TV

Private and business, Bushido and Arafat Abou-Chaker seemed inseparable for years. In 2013, the existence of a general power of attorney that Bushido had granted to his partner became known. It allowed Arafat Abou-Chaker to freely dispose of the artist's assets. Bushido is said to have always diverted half of its revenue to the clan.

But in March of this year he carried out the break. Since then, the end of a male friendship keeps the investigators in alarm mode. The latest highlight is an interview that the rapper - bourgeois: Anis Ferchichi - with his wife Anna-Maria gave the "star". "Of course we are afraid that someone will shoot me or my husband out of revenge," says Anna-Maria Ferchichi. "We actually expect it every day."

As in a sect, both apparently were dependent on Arafat Abou-Chaker for years - until Bushido's wife was pushing for the exit. That's how the couple at least describe it. From a relationship at eye level could apparently be no question.

The clan godfather allegedly prescribed to the couple how the four children had to educate them. Which kitchen should buy it. Which performances Bushido had to complete. The burial of Bushido's mother was done on Abou-Chakers behest under the Islamic rite - men and women should have been allowed to stand separately in front of the grave.

In a first attempt to break away from Abou-Chaker, Bushido apparently got a bloody nose. His wife speaks in the interview of a "very massive meeting" with several brothers Abou-Chakers. Up to 2.5 million euros, they would have wanted to bid then to buy it off. But it had not come to an offer, let alone an agreement.

The two also use the appearance in the magazine obviously, to illustrate two messages to the Abou-Chakers. You could take Arafat and his brothers to prison if you were to get rid of criminal business. And you have a new protector - Ashraf Rammo, a leading figure of the Rammo clan competing with the Abou Chakers.

"Things are completely different on the street"

"If Ashraf were not," says Anna-Maria Ferchichi, "the danger would be even greater for us." The family might then have to move to Canada or the US. "If Ashraf were not, something would have happened to us already." The aim was to legalize the dispute with Abou-Chaker about the modalities of the separation, says Bushido. "But things are completely different on the street that nobody talks to the police about."

Jörg Raupach observes the escalation with concern. The head of the Berlin prosecutor said SPIEGEL TV: If the dispute over the business will be held in public, "is expected that this goes into the physical area." One is "close to it" to prevent that from happening.

Already in June there were two seriously injured. At that time unknown people fired 15 shots at the snack "Papa Ari", which belongs to Arafat Abou-Chaker. As the "Bild" reported, Abou-Chaker called the police Ashraf Rammo as the suspect, the new Bushido protector.

Shortly thereafter, the police Arafat Abou-Chaker have warned that unknown people wanted to kill him. This seems to come from a report by the state criminal investigation office, which Abou-Chaker published according to media reports on his Instagram page. Therefore, Abou-Chaker suspects that they want to intimidate him, so he renounces his rights to Bushido music.

For the musician Bushido, the debate over his gang in Organized Crime may be welcome PR. Just this Friday came out his new album "Mythos". And already several days ago the song "Mephisto" is open to the public. The ten-minute piece is about Arafat Abou-Chaker - even if the name does not fall. "He was never a true friend," raps Bushido, "just a reckless animal."

When SPIEGEL TV tried to talk to Arafat Abou-Chaker in Berlin, he reacted indignantly: "What's the secret?" He shouted. "Leave here", "Take the camera away!" Then he sent another of his clubs.

The scene and more about the milieu of Arabian clans you can see on SPIEGEL TV:

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MIRROR TV