A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group Antifa Ost began their trial on Tuesday, accused for attacks targeting far-right activists that earned them the moniker “the hammer group”.
International terrorist designation and legal charges
Earlier this month, the US government classified the organization as a terrorist group along with multiple additional left-wing extremist and anarchist groups.
German prosecutors state the network was behind attacks on sites in the country and Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in central Thuringia, whose establishment was known as a gathering spot for rightwing activists.
Some suspects are allegedly accused of employing hammers against suspected far-right members, leaving some with serious injuries.
Trial details and cross-border allegations
Court proceedings involving seven defendants is expected to run until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. Two defendants, identified as Johann G and Paul M., also face charges for attacks in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering known as the “day of honor” that attracts rightwing extremists from across Europe.
In a related case, a different German individual, Maja T, is currently on trial in the Hungarian judicial system for four counts of attempted assault against far-right activists in the lead-up 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-immigrant youth groups, as well as the often militant antifascist groups that counter them.
Prosecutors describe Johann G. as a high-ranking member within Antifa Ost, responsible for planning attacks and recruiting accomplices.
Together with Paul M, he is alleged to have arranged instruction courses where leftwing extremists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities overseen by the suspect, the group reportedly stockpiled tools, pepper spray, disguises and mobile phones.
Previous convictions and international reactions
Another militant previously active with the organization, Lina E., became a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her conviction in 2023 for targeting suspected right-wing individuals.
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 AfD party welcomed the US decision and urged the government in Berlin to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.
“The danger posed by the organization has substantially diminished lately. Key leaders and most aggressive participants have either already been convicted or remain detained.”
Interior ministry spokesperson
