A group of seven people accused of being the left-wing extremist organization Antifa Ost began their trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against far-right activists that earned them the moniker “Hammer Gang”.
Global terror listing and prosecution case
Earlier this month, the US government designated the organization as a terrorist group together with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist groups.
German prosecutors state the network 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 restaurant owner in Thuringia, whose establishment reportedly served as a meeting point for rightwing activists.
Some suspects are allegedly accused of employing hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, causing several severely injured.
Trial details and international connections
Court proceedings involving seven defendants is scheduled to continue until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. A pair of suspects, named as Johann G. and Paul M, are additionally accused for violent incidents in the Hungarian capital during February 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering called the “day of honor” that attracts rightwing extremists from across Europe.
In a related case, another German activist, Maja T, is facing trial in Hungary for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against far-right activists prior to the same rally in 2023.
Regional context and organizational structure
The former East Germany has historically served as a hotbed for both far-right and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the often militant anti-fascist networks that oppose them.
Authorities characterize Johann G. as a senior figure within Antifa Ost, responsible for organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.
Alongside Paul M., he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where leftwing extremists trained in fighting methods and simulated violent actions. In storage facilities overseen by Paul M, the network reportedly stockpiled tools, pepper spray, disguises and mobile phones.
Previous convictions and international reactions
Another militant formerly involved with the group, Lina E, emerged as a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on suspected right-wing individuals.
The US designation makes group members barred from entering the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the American economy and criminalizes offering assistance to them.
Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany applauded the US decision and urged the government in Berlin to follow suit. In contrast, the German foreign ministry merely commented it had “taken note” of the US designation.
“The threat from the [Antifa Ost] group has substantially diminished lately. The ringleaders and particularly violent members have either already been convicted or are in custody.”
Interior ministry spokesperson
