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A group of seven people accused of being the German far-left militant group the Antifa Ost network went on 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 designated the organization 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 neighboring Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Among the incidents is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in Thuringia, whose establishment reportedly served as a meeting point for rightwing activists.

Some suspects are allegedly accused of using hammers against suspected far-right members, leaving some with serious injuries.

Court proceedings and cross-border allegations

Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is scheduled to continue until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden. Two defendants, named as Johann G. and Paul M, also face charges for attacks in the Hungarian capital during February 2023, coinciding with an yearly gathering known as the “day of honour” that attracts far-right participants from across Europe.

In a related case, another German activist, Maja T., is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for four counts of attempted assault against neo-Nazis prior to the same rally in that year.

Regional context and group hierarchy

Eastern Germany has long been a breeding ground for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigration youth groups, as well as the often militant anti-fascist networks that counter them.

Prosecutors describe Johann G. as a high-ranking member within the organization, responsible for planning attacks and recruiting accomplices.

Together with Paul M., he is accused of organizing instruction courses where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. At depots overseen by the suspect, the group allegedly accumulated hammers, pepper spray, concealment items and mobile phones.

Previous convictions and international reactions

A different activist previously active with the group, Lina E, emerged as a cause celebre within certain radical left communities following her conviction in 2023 for targeting suspected right-wing individuals.

America's terrorist listing makes group members barred from entering the United States, freezes any assets they could possess within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal offering assistance to them.

The German right-wing AfD party applauded the American move and called on the government in Berlin to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The threat from the organization has recently decreased significantly. Key leaders and particularly violent members have received convictions or are in custody.”

Interior ministry representative