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Seven individuals allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group Antifa Ost went on trial on Tuesday, facing charges for attacks targeting rightwing extremists that earned them the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

Global terror listing and prosecution case

Recently, the United States designated the organization as a terrorist group along with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist groups.

Authorities in Germany state the group was responsible for targeting locations in Germany and neighboring Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in Thuringia, whose venue was known as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Some suspects are allegedly accused of using hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, leaving some severely injured.

Court proceedings and cross-border allegations

Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is scheduled to continue until July 2026 in the city of Dresden. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M., also face charges for violent incidents in Budapest during February 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering called the “day of honor” that attracts rightwing extremists from across Europe.

In a related case, a different German individual, Maja T., is currently on trial in the Hungarian judicial system for multiple charges of attempted assault against neo-Nazis in the lead-up to the same rally in that year.

Historical background and group hierarchy

Eastern Germany has historically served as a hotbed for both far-right and anti-immigrant youth groups, as well as the frequently radical anti-fascist networks that counter them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a high-ranking member within Antifa Ost, tasked with organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M, he is accused of organizing training sessions where radical left activists practised combat techniques and simulated violent actions. At depots managed by Paul M, the network allegedly accumulated hammers, pepper spray, concealment items and communication devices.

Previous convictions and international reactions

Another militant formerly involved with the group, Lina E, became a symbolic figure within some far-left activist circles following her conviction in 2023 for targeting presumed far-right targets.

The US designation makes group members ineligible to enter the United States, freezes any assets they may have within the American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany welcomed the US decision and urged the German administration to take similar action. However, the country's diplomatic office simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The threat posed by the [Antifa Ost] group has substantially diminished lately. Key leaders and most aggressive participants have either already been convicted or are in custody.”

Interior ministry spokesperson