A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group Antifa Ost began their trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against far-right activists that resulted in the nickname “Hammer Gang”.
Global terrorist designation and legal charges
Earlier this month, the US government classified the organization as a terrorist group together with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist networks.
Authorities in Germany state the group was responsible for attacks on sites in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in central Thuringia, whose venue was known as a meeting point for rightwing activists.
Some suspects are allegedly accused of employing hammers against suspected far-right members, leaving some with serious injuries.
Trial details and international connections
Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is expected to run until mid-2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M., also face charges for attacks in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, coinciding with an annual event known as the “day of honour” that attracts far-right participants from throughout the continent.
In a related case, another German activist, Maja T, is currently on trial in Hungary for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against neo-Nazis prior to the same rally in that year.
Historical background and organizational structure
Eastern Germany has long been a breeding ground for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigrant youth organizations, as well as the frequently radical antifascist groups that oppose them.
Authorities characterize Johann G as a high-ranking member within Antifa Ost, tasked with planning attacks and recruiting accomplices.
Alongside Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. At depots overseen by Paul M, the group reportedly stockpiled hammers, irritant sprays, disguises and communication devices.
Previous convictions and international reactions
Another militant formerly involved with the organization, 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 barred from entering the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.
The German right-wing AfD party applauded the American move and urged the government in Berlin to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the US designation.
“The threat posed by the [Antifa Ost] group has substantially diminished lately. The ringleaders and particularly violent members have either already been convicted or are in custody.”
Government spokesperson
