A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group the Antifa Ost network began their trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against far-right activists that earned them the nickname “Hammer Gang”.
Global terror listing and legal charges
Earlier this month, the US government classified Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization together with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist groups.
German prosecutors claim the network was behind attacks on locations in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Among the incidents is the multiple attacks of a restaurant owner in Thuringia, whose venue was known as a meeting point for rightwing activists.
Some suspects are said to have employing hammers against suspected far-right members, leaving some with serious injuries.
Court proceedings and international connections
Court proceedings involving seven defendants is scheduled to continue until mid-2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. Two defendants, named as Johann G and Paul M, are additionally accused for attacks in the Hungarian capital during February 2023, around an annual event known as the “day of honor” that draws far-right participants from across Europe.
Separately, another German activist, Maja T., is currently on trial in Hungary for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against far-right activists in the lead-up to the same rally in that year.
Historical background and organizational structure
The former East Germany has long been a breeding ground for both far-right and anti-immigration youth groups, as well as the frequently radical antifascist groups that counter them.
Authorities characterize Johann G. as a senior figure within the organization, responsible for organizing violent acts and recruiting accomplices.
Alongside Paul M., he is accused of organizing instruction courses where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. At depots overseen by the suspect, the network allegedly accumulated tools, pepper spray, disguises and mobile phones.
Previous convictions and global responses
Another militant formerly involved with the group, Lina E, became a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on 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 American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.
The German right-wing AfD party welcomed the US decision and called on the German administration to follow suit. In contrast, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the US designation.
“The threat from the organization has recently decreased significantly. Key leaders and most aggressive participants have received convictions or remain detained.”
Government representative
