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Seven individuals accused of being the left-wing extremist organization the Antifa Ost network went on trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against far-right activists that earned them the moniker “the hammer group”.

International terror listing and legal charges

Recently, the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist group together with several other European far-left and anarchist groups.

Authorities in Germany claim the network was behind targeting locations 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 reportedly served as a meeting point for far-right supporters.

Some suspects 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 scheduled to continue until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. Two defendants, named as Johann G and Paul M., also face charges for violent incidents in Budapest during February 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering called the “day of honor” that attracts far-right participants from across Europe.

In a related case, another German activist, Maja T, is currently on trial in Hungary for four counts of attempted assault against neo-Nazis prior to the identical event in 2023.

Historical background and group hierarchy

Eastern Germany has long been a hotbed for both far-right and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the frequently radical anti-fascist networks that counter them.

Authorities characterize Johann G as a senior figure within Antifa Ost, tasked with planning attacks and recruiting accomplices.

Alongside Paul M., he is accused of organizing training sessions where leftwing extremists trained in fighting methods and simulated violent actions. In storage facilities managed by Paul M, the network reportedly stockpiled hammers, pepper spray, concealment items and mobile phones.

Previous convictions and international reactions

Another militant previously active with the organization, Lina E., emerged as a symbolic figure within some far-left activist circles following her conviction in 2023 for targeting presumed far-right targets.

The US designation renders organization affiliates ineligible to enter the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the American economy and criminalizes providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany welcomed the American move and called on the German administration to take similar action. In contrast, the country's diplomatic office simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The danger from the [Antifa Ost] group has substantially diminished lately. Key leaders and particularly violent members have received convictions or are in custody.”

Government representative