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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 this week, accused for violent actions against far-right activists that resulted in the nickname “the hammer group”.

Global terror listing and legal charges

Recently, the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist group along with several other European far-left and anarchist groups.

Authorities in Germany state the group was behind attacks on sites in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in Thuringia, whose venue was known as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Some suspects are allegedly accused of employing hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, causing several with serious injuries.

Court proceedings and cross-border allegations

The trial involving six men and one woman is scheduled to continue until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M, are additionally accused for attacks in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, coinciding with an annual event called the “day of honour” that draws far-right participants from across Europe.

Separately, another German activist, Maja T, is currently on trial in Hungary for multiple charges of attempted assault against far-right activists prior to the same rally in 2023.

Historical background and group hierarchy

Eastern Germany has historically served as a breeding ground for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the frequently radical anti-fascist networks that oppose them.

Authorities characterize 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 instruction courses where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities overseen by Paul M, the network allegedly accumulated tools, pepper spray, disguises and mobile phones.

Previous convictions and international reactions

A different activist formerly involved with the organization, Lina E, emerged as a cause celebre within certain radical left communities following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on presumed far-right targets.

The US designation makes group members ineligible to enter the US, blocks financial holdings they could possess within the world’s largest economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

The German right-wing AfD party welcomed the American move and called on 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 [Antifa Ost] group has recently decreased significantly. The ringleaders and particularly violent members have either received convictions or remain detained.”

Government spokesperson