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Seven individuals allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group Antifa Ost went on trial on Tuesday, accused for violent actions against rightwing extremists that earned them the nickname “the hammer group”.

International terrorist designation and legal charges

Earlier this month, the US government designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization together with several other left-wing extremist and anarchist networks.

German prosecutors state the network was responsible for attacks on locations in the country and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in central Thuringia, whose venue was known as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Certain individuals are said to have using hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, leaving some severely injured.

Trial details and international connections

The trial involving seven defendants is expected to run until mid-2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. Two defendants, identified as Johann G and Paul M., are additionally accused for attacks in Budapest during February 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering called the “day of honour” that attracts far-right participants from across Europe.

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

Regional context and organizational structure

The former East Germany has historically served as a breeding ground for both far-right and anti-immigration youth groups, 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 recruiting accomplices.

Alongside Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged instruction courses where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and simulated violent actions. In storage facilities managed by the suspect, the group reportedly stockpiled hammers, pepper spray, concealment items and mobile phones.

Prior legal cases and global responses

A different activist previously active with the organization, Lina E., became a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on presumed far-right targets.

The US designation renders organization affiliates barred from entering the US, blocks financial holdings they could possess within the American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

The German right-wing AfD party welcomed the US decision and called on the German administration to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The danger from the [Antifa Ost] group has substantially diminished lately. The ringleaders and most aggressive participants have either received convictions or remain detained.”

Interior ministry representative