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Seven individuals accused of being the left-wing extremist organization Antifa Ost began their trial on Tuesday, facing charges for violent actions against rightwing extremists that earned them the nickname “the hammer group”.

Global terror listing and legal charges

Recently, the United States classified the organization as a terrorist organization together with multiple additional European far-left and anarchist networks.

German prosecutors state the network was behind attacks on sites in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a restaurant owner in Thuringia, whose establishment was known as a gathering spot for rightwing activists.

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

Court proceedings and cross-border allegations

The trial involving seven defendants is scheduled to continue until mid-2026 in the city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M., are additionally accused for attacks in Budapest during early 2023, coinciding with an annual event known as the “day of honour” that draws rightwing extremists from throughout the continent.

In a related case, 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 group hierarchy

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

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

Together with Paul M, he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where radical left activists practised combat techniques and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities overseen by the suspect, the network reportedly stockpiled tools, irritant sprays, concealment items and mobile phones.

Previous convictions and international reactions

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

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 criminalizes providing material support to them.

The German right-wing AfD party welcomed the American move and called on the government in Berlin to follow suit. However, the country's diplomatic office merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the US designation.

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

Interior ministry representative