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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, accused for violent actions against far-right activists that resulted in the nickname “Hammer Gang”.

Global terror listing and prosecution case

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

Authorities in Germany claim the group was behind attacks on locations in Germany and neighboring Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Among the incidents is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in central Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a meeting point for far-right supporters.

Some suspects are allegedly accused of employing hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, causing several severely injured.

Court proceedings and international connections

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

Separately, another German activist, Maja T., is facing trial in Hungary for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against far-right activists prior to the identical event 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 oppose them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G. as a senior figure within the organization, responsible for planning attacks and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M, he is accused of organizing training sessions where leftwing extremists practised combat techniques and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities managed by the suspect, the group allegedly accumulated tools, pepper spray, disguises and mobile phones.

Previous convictions and international reactions

A different activist previously active with the group, Lina E., became a cause celebre within certain radical left communities following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on suspected right-wing individuals.

The US designation renders organization affiliates ineligible to enter the US, 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 Alternative for Germany applauded the US decision and called on the government in Berlin to follow suit. In contrast, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The danger from the [Antifa Ost] group has substantially diminished lately. The ringleaders and most aggressive participants have either already been convicted or are in custody.”

Interior ministry representative