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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 rightwing extremists that earned them the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

Global terror listing and prosecution case

Earlier this month, the US government designated the organization as a terrorist group along with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist groups.

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

Some suspects are said to have using hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, leaving some with serious injuries.

Court proceedings and international connections

The trial involving six men and one woman is expected to run until July 2026 in the city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, named as Johann G and Paul M., also face charges for violent incidents in Budapest during early 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering called the “day of honor” that attracts far-right participants from across Europe.

In a related case, a different German individual, Maja T., is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for multiple charges of attempted assault against far-right activists in the lead-up to the same rally in that year.

Regional context and organizational structure

The former East Germany has long been a breeding ground for both far-right and anti-immigrant youth groups, as well as the frequently radical anti-fascist networks that oppose them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a senior figure within the organization, tasked with organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M, he is accused of organizing instruction courses where leftwing extremists practised combat techniques and rehearsed attacks. At depots overseen by the suspect, the network allegedly accumulated tools, irritant sprays, disguises and mobile phones.

Prior legal cases and international reactions

Another militant formerly involved with the group, Lina E, emerged as a symbolic figure within certain radical left communities 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, blocks financial holdings they could possess within the world’s largest economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany welcomed the US decision and called on the government in Berlin to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry simply stated it had “taken note” of the US designation.

“The threat posed by the organization has substantially diminished lately. The ringleaders and most aggressive participants have either already been convicted or remain detained.”

Interior ministry representative