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Seven individuals accused of being the German far-left militant group the Antifa Ost network began their trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against far-right activists that resulted in the nickname “Hammer Gang”.

International terrorist designation and legal charges

Earlier this month, the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization along with multiple additional left-wing extremist and anarchist groups.

Authorities in Germany claim the network was responsible for attacks on sites in the country and neighboring Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in central Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Certain individuals are said to have employing hammers against suspected far-right members, causing several severely injured.

Court proceedings and cross-border allegations

The trial involving six men and one woman is scheduled to continue until mid-2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. Two defendants, identified as Johann G. and Paul M., also face charges for attacks in Budapest during February 2023, coinciding with an annual event known as the “day of honor” that draws far-right participants 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 prior to the identical event in that year.

Regional context and group hierarchy

Eastern Germany has long been a hotbed for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth groups, as well as the often militant antifascist groups that counter 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 accused of organizing training sessions where radical left activists practised combat techniques and rehearsed attacks. At depots managed by Paul M, the network reportedly stockpiled hammers, irritant sprays, concealment items and mobile phones.

Prior legal cases and global responses

Another militant formerly involved with the organization, Lina E., became a symbolic figure within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on presumed far-right targets.

America's terrorist listing makes group members ineligible to enter the US, freezes any assets they could possess within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal providing material support to them.

The German right-wing AfD party welcomed the US decision and called on the government in Berlin to follow suit. In contrast, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “taken note” of the US designation.

“The danger posed by the [Antifa Ost] group has substantially diminished lately. Key leaders and particularly violent members have received convictions or are in custody.”

Interior ministry representative