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A group of seven people accused of being the German far-left militant group Antifa Ost went on trial on Tuesday, accused for violent actions against rightwing extremists that resulted in the nickname “Hammer Gang”.

Global terrorist designation and prosecution case

Earlier this month, the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist group together with several other European far-left and anarchist networks.

German prosecutors claim the group was behind attacks on sites in the country and neighboring Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Among the incidents is the multiple attacks of a restaurant owner in Thuringia, whose establishment reportedly served as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Some suspects are said to have employing hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, causing several severely injured.

Court proceedings and international connections

Court proceedings involving seven defendants is expected to run until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. Two defendants, named as Johann G. and Paul M, are additionally accused for violent incidents in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, around an annual event called the “day of honor” that attracts rightwing extremists from across Europe.

In a related case, another German activist, Maja T., is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for four counts of attempted violent acts against far-right activists in the lead-up to the identical event in 2023.

Regional context and organizational structure

Eastern Germany has historically served as a breeding ground for both far-right and anti-immigrant youth organizations, as well as the often militant antifascist groups that oppose them.

Authorities characterize Johann G. as a senior figure within the organization, responsible for organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities overseen by Paul M, the group allegedly accumulated hammers, irritant sprays, disguises and mobile phones.

Prior legal cases and international reactions

A different activist previously active with the organization, Lina E., emerged as a symbolic figure within certain radical left communities following her conviction in 2023 for attacks on presumed far-right targets.

The US designation makes group members ineligible to enter the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the world’s largest economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany applauded the US decision and urged the government in Berlin to take similar action. In contrast, the German foreign ministry merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The threat from the organization has recently decreased significantly. Key leaders and most aggressive participants have already been convicted or remain detained.”

Government representative