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Seven individuals allegedly belonging to the left-wing extremist organization the Antifa Ost network went on trial on Tuesday, accused for violent actions against far-right activists that resulted in the moniker “Hammer Gang”.

International terror listing and prosecution case

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

Authorities in Germany state the network was behind targeting locations in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Among the incidents is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in Thuringia, whose venue was known as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

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

Trial details and cross-border allegations

Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is expected to run until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden, Germany. Two defendants, identified as Johann G. and Paul M., are additionally accused for violent incidents in the Hungarian capital during February 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering known as the “day of honour” that draws far-right participants from across Europe.

Separately, a different German individual, Maja T., is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against far-right activists in the lead-up to the same rally in that year.

Regional context and organizational structure

The former East Germany has long been a breeding ground for both far-right and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the frequently radical antifascist groups that counter them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a senior figure within the organization, responsible for organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.

Alongside Paul M, he is accused of organizing training sessions where leftwing extremists practised combat techniques and rehearsed attacks. At depots overseen by Paul M, the network allegedly accumulated hammers, irritant sprays, concealment items and mobile phones.

Prior legal cases and global responses

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

America's terrorist listing renders organization affiliates ineligible to enter the US, blocks financial holdings they may have within the world’s largest economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany welcomed the American move and urged the German administration to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry merely commented it had “taken note” of the American classification.

“The threat posed by the organization has substantially diminished lately. The ringleaders and most aggressive participants have either received convictions or remain detained.”

Government spokesperson