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A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group Antifa Ost went on trial on Tuesday, accused for attacks targeting far-right activists that resulted in the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

International 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 groups.

Authorities in Germany state the network was responsible for targeting sites in the country and neighboring Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in central Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Certain individuals are said to have using hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, causing several with serious injuries.

Court proceedings and cross-border allegations

The trial involving six men and one woman is expected to run until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M., are additionally accused for attacks in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, coinciding with an annual event called the “day of honor” that draws far-right participants from across Europe.

Separately, a different German individual, Maja T., is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for four counts of attempted violent acts against neo-Nazis prior to the same rally in 2023.

Historical background and organizational structure

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

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a high-ranking member within the organization, tasked with planning attacks and bringing in new members.

Alongside Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged instruction courses where leftwing extremists practised combat techniques and simulated violent actions. At depots managed by the suspect, the group reportedly stockpiled tools, pepper spray, disguises and communication devices.

Prior legal cases and global responses

Another militant formerly involved with the group, Lina E., became a cause celebre within certain radical left communities following her conviction in 2023 for attacks on presumed far-right targets.

The US designation renders organization affiliates barred from entering the United States, freezes any assets they may have within the American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right AfD party applauded the American move and urged the German administration to follow suit. However, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “taken note” of the US designation.

“The danger from the [Antifa Ost] group has recently decreased significantly. Key leaders and most aggressive participants have either already been convicted or remain detained.”

Government representative