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Seven individuals allegedly belonging to the left-wing extremist organization the Antifa Ost network began their trial on this week, accused for attacks targeting far-right activists that resulted in the nickname “the hammer group”.

Global terrorist designation and prosecution case

Earlier this month, the US government classified Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization together with several other left-wing extremist and anarchist groups.

Authorities in Germany claim the group was behind targeting locations in the country and Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Among the incidents is the multiple attacks of a business proprietor in Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Some suspects are said to have employing hammers against suspected far-right members, leaving some severely injured.

Court proceedings and international connections

The trial involving seven defendants is expected to run until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden. Two defendants, named as Johann G. and Paul M., also face charges for attacks in Budapest during early 2023, around an annual event called the “day of honour” that draws far-right participants from throughout the continent.

In a related case, a different German individual, Maja T, is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for four counts of attempted violent acts against far-right activists prior to the same rally in 2023.

Historical background and group hierarchy

The former East Germany has historically served as a breeding ground for both far-right and anti-immigration youth organizations, as well as the frequently radical anti-fascist networks that counter them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G as a senior figure within Antifa Ost, tasked with planning attacks and bringing in new members.

Alongside Paul M., he is accused of organizing training sessions where radical left activists practised combat techniques and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities overseen by the suspect, the group allegedly accumulated hammers, irritant sprays, concealment items and mobile phones.

Prior legal cases and global responses

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

The US designation makes group members ineligible to enter the US, 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 American move and called on the government in Berlin to take similar action. However, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

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

Government representative