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A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the left-wing extremist organization the Antifa Ost network began their trial on Tuesday, facing charges for attacks targeting rightwing extremists that earned them the nickname “Hammer Gang”.

International terror listing and prosecution case

Earlier this month, the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization together with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist networks.

Authorities in Germany claim the group was responsible for attacks on sites in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Included in the allegations is the multiple attacks of a business proprietor in Thuringia, whose establishment was known as a gathering spot for far-right supporters.

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

Court proceedings and international connections

Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is expected to run until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. A pair of suspects, named as Johann G and Paul M., also face charges for attacks in the Hungarian capital during February 2023, around an annual event called the “day of honor” that draws far-right participants from across Europe.

Separately, another German activist, Maja T, is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for four counts of attempted assault against neo-Nazis prior to the same rally in 2023.

Historical background and group hierarchy

Eastern Germany has long been a breeding ground for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the frequently radical antifascist groups that counter them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a high-ranking member within the organization, responsible for planning attacks and recruiting accomplices.

Together with Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and simulated violent actions. At depots overseen by the suspect, the network allegedly accumulated hammers, irritant sprays, concealment items and communication devices.

Previous convictions and international reactions

Another militant formerly involved with the organization, Lina E., became a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her conviction in 2023 for attacks on presumed far-right targets.

The US designation makes group members ineligible to enter the United States, blocks financial holdings they may have within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal offering assistance to them.

The German right-wing Alternative for Germany welcomed the American move and called on the government in Berlin to follow suit. However, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The threat from the [Antifa Ost] group has recently decreased significantly. The ringleaders and particularly violent members have either already been convicted or are in custody.”

Interior ministry spokesperson