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A group of seven people accused of being the left-wing extremist organization Antifa Ost began their trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against far-right activists that earned them the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

International terror listing and prosecution case

Recently, the US government designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization together with several other left-wing extremist and anarchist networks.

German prosecutors claim the network was responsible for attacks on locations in the country and neighboring Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Among the incidents is the multiple attacks of a business proprietor in central Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a meeting point for far-right supporters.

Certain individuals are allegedly accused of employing hammers against suspected far-right members, leaving some with serious injuries.

Court proceedings and international connections

Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is scheduled to continue until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden. 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 known as the “day of honor” that draws rightwing extremists from across Europe.

Separately, a different German individual, Maja T, is facing trial in Hungary for four counts of attempted violent acts against far-right activists in the lead-up to the same rally in that year.

Historical background and group hierarchy

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

Authorities characterize Johann G as a high-ranking member within the organization, tasked with organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where radical left activists practised combat techniques and simulated violent actions. In storage facilities managed by Paul M, the group allegedly accumulated tools, pepper spray, concealment items and communication devices.

Prior legal cases and global responses

Another militant previously active with the organization, Lina E., became a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her conviction in 2023 for targeting suspected right-wing individuals.

The US designation makes group members ineligible to enter the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right AfD party welcomed the US decision and called on the government in Berlin to follow suit. However, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “taken note” of the US designation.

“The danger from the organization has substantially diminished lately. Key leaders and most aggressive participants have either received convictions or remain detained.”

Government spokesperson