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A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the left-wing extremist organization Antifa Ost began their trial on this week, accused for attacks targeting far-right activists that earned them the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

Global terror listing and legal charges

Recently, the US government designated the organization as a terrorist group along with several other European far-left and anarchist networks.

Authorities in Germany claim the network was responsible for targeting locations in Germany and neighboring Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Among the incidents is the multiple attacks of a restaurant owner in central Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Some suspects are said to have using hammers against suspected far-right members, causing several severely injured.

Court proceedings and international connections

The trial involving six men and one woman is expected to run until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, named as Johann G. and Paul M, also face charges for violent incidents in Budapest during early 2023, around an yearly gathering called the “day of honor” that draws far-right participants from throughout the continent.

Separately, another German activist, Maja T., is currently on trial in Hungary for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against neo-Nazis in the lead-up to the same rally in that year.

Regional context and group hierarchy

The former East Germany has historically served as a hotbed for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the often militant antifascist groups that oppose them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G. as a high-ranking member within Antifa Ost, responsible for organizing violent acts and recruiting accomplices.

Together with Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities managed by Paul M, the group reportedly stockpiled tools, pepper spray, concealment items and mobile phones.

Previous convictions and international reactions

Another militant formerly involved with the group, Lina E., became a symbolic figure within certain radical left communities following her conviction in 2023 for targeting suspected right-wing individuals.

America's terrorist listing renders organization affiliates ineligible to enter the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

The German right-wing Alternative for Germany welcomed the American move and urged the German administration to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the US designation.

“The danger from the organization has recently decreased significantly. The ringleaders and particularly violent members have already been convicted or are in custody.”

Interior ministry spokesperson