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A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group the Antifa Ost network went on trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against rightwing extremists that earned them the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

International terror listing and prosecution case

Earlier this month, the United States classified Antifa Ost as a terrorist group together with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist groups.

Authorities in Germany claim the group was behind targeting locations in Germany and neighboring Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in central Thuringia, whose establishment was known as a meeting point for far-right supporters.

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

Court proceedings and international connections

The trial involving seven defendants is expected to run until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, named as Johann G and Paul M, are additionally accused for violent incidents in Budapest during February 2023, coinciding with an annual event called the “day of honor” that draws rightwing extremists from across Europe.

In a related case, another German activist, Maja T., is currently on trial in the Hungarian judicial system for multiple charges of attempted assault against neo-Nazis prior to the identical event in 2023.

Regional context and organizational structure

The former East Germany has long been a hotbed for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth groups, as well as the often militant anti-fascist networks that counter them.

Authorities characterize Johann G. as a high-ranking member within Antifa Ost, responsible for organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M., he is accused of organizing training sessions where leftwing extremists practised combat techniques and simulated violent actions. At depots overseen by Paul M, the group allegedly accumulated tools, irritant sprays, disguises and mobile phones.

Prior legal cases and international reactions

A different activist previously active with the group, Lina E, emerged as a symbolic figure within some far-left activist circles following her conviction in 2023 for targeting presumed far-right targets.

America's terrorist listing makes group members barred from entering the United States, freezes any assets they may have within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right AfD party welcomed the American move and called on the German administration to take similar action. In contrast, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “taken note” of the US designation.

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

Government representative