A group of seven people accused of being 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 prosecution case
Recently, the US government classified the organization as a terrorist group together with multiple additional left-wing extremist and anarchist networks.
German prosecutors state the group was behind attacks on sites in the country and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Among the incidents is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a gathering spot for far-right supporters.
Some suspects are allegedly accused of using hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, leaving some severely injured.
Trial details and international connections
Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is expected to run until mid-2026 in the eastern city of Dresden. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M., are additionally accused for attacks in Budapest during February 2023, around an annual event known as the “day of honour” that attracts far-right participants from across Europe.
Separately, 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 that year.
Historical background and organizational structure
The former East Germany has long been a breeding ground for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigrant youth groups, as well as the frequently radical anti-fascist networks that oppose them.
Authorities characterize Johann G as a senior figure within Antifa Ost, tasked with organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.
Together with Paul M, he is accused of organizing training sessions where leftwing extremists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. At depots overseen by the suspect, the network allegedly accumulated hammers, irritant sprays, concealment items and communication devices.
Prior legal cases and international reactions
Another militant previously active with the group, Lina E, emerged as a symbolic figure within certain radical left communities following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on suspected right-wing individuals.
The US designation makes group members barred from entering the US, freezes any assets they could possess within the American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.
The German right-wing AfD party applauded the American move and called on the government in Berlin to take similar action. In contrast, the country's diplomatic office simply stated it had “taken note” of the US designation.
“The threat from the organization has substantially diminished lately. Key leaders and most aggressive participants have either already been convicted or are in custody.”
Government representative