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A group of seven people accused of being the German far-left militant group Antifa Ost went on trial on this week, facing charges for attacks targeting rightwing extremists that resulted in the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

Global terror listing and legal charges

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

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

Certain individuals are allegedly accused of employing hammers against suspected far-right members, leaving some severely injured.

Court proceedings and cross-border allegations

The trial involving seven defendants is scheduled to continue until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M, also face charges for violent incidents in Budapest during February 2023, coinciding with an annual event known as the “day of honor” that draws far-right participants from throughout the continent.

In a related case, another German activist, Maja T, is currently on trial in the Hungarian judicial system for four counts of attempted violent acts against far-right activists prior to the identical event in that year.

Historical background and group hierarchy

The former East Germany has long been a breeding ground for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the often militant antifascist groups that counter them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a senior figure within Antifa Ost, tasked with planning attacks and recruiting accomplices.

Alongside Paul M, he is accused of organizing training sessions where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and simulated violent actions. In storage facilities overseen by Paul M, the group allegedly accumulated hammers, irritant sprays, concealment items and communication devices.

Prior legal cases and international reactions

Another militant formerly involved with the organization, Lina E, emerged as a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her conviction in 2023 for attacks on suspected right-wing individuals.

America's terrorist listing renders organization affiliates ineligible to enter the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal offering assistance to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany welcomed the American move and urged the German administration to take similar action. In contrast, the country's diplomatic office simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the US designation.

“The threat posed by the organization has recently decreased significantly. The ringleaders and most aggressive participants have either already been convicted or are in custody.”

Interior ministry spokesperson