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Seven individuals accused of being the German far-left militant group the Antifa Ost network went on trial on Tuesday, accused for attacks targeting far-right activists that resulted in the nickname “the hammer group”.

International terror listing and prosecution case

Recently, the US government classified Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization along with several other left-wing extremist and anarchist networks.

Authorities in Germany state the network was responsible for attacks on locations in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in central Thuringia, whose venue was known as a meeting point for far-right supporters.

Certain individuals are said to have employing hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, causing several with serious injuries.

Court proceedings and international connections

Court proceedings involving seven defendants is expected to run until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden, Germany. Two defendants, identified as Johann G and Paul M., also face charges for attacks in the Hungarian capital during February 2023, around an yearly gathering known as the “day of honor” that draws rightwing extremists 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 violent acts against neo-Nazis prior to the identical event in 2023.

Regional context and group hierarchy

The former East Germany has long been a hotbed for both far-right and anti-immigration youth groups, as well as the often militant anti-fascist networks that counter them.

Authorities characterize Johann G. as a senior figure within the organization, tasked with organizing violent acts and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M, he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where radical left activists trained in fighting methods and simulated violent actions. In storage facilities managed by the suspect, the group allegedly accumulated tools, irritant sprays, disguises and communication devices.

Previous convictions and global responses

Another militant formerly involved with the organization, Lina E., became a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict for targeting suspected right-wing individuals.

The US designation makes group members ineligible to enter the US, freezes any assets they may have within the American economy and criminalizes offering assistance to them.

Germany's far-right AfD party welcomed the American move and urged the German administration to follow suit. However, the German foreign ministry simply stated it had “taken note” of the American classification.

“The danger posed by the organization has recently decreased significantly. The ringleaders and most aggressive participants have received convictions or remain detained.”

Government spokesperson