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Seven individuals accused of being the German far-left militant group the Antifa Ost network went on trial on Tuesday, facing charges for attacks targeting far-right activists that earned them the nickname “Hammer Gang”.

International terrorist designation and legal charges

Earlier this month, the United States classified the organization as a terrorist group along with several other European far-left and anarchist networks.

Authorities in Germany claim the network was responsible for targeting locations in Germany and Hungary from 2018 through 2023. Included in the allegations is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in Thuringia, whose venue was known as a gathering spot for far-right supporters.

Some suspects are said to have employing hammers against presumed rightwing extremists, leaving some severely injured.

Trial details and cross-border allegations

The trial involving six men and one woman is scheduled to continue until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G. and Paul M., also face charges for attacks in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, around an annual event known as the “day of honour” that draws far-right participants from across Europe.

Separately, a different German individual, Maja T., is facing trial in the Hungarian judicial system for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against far-right activists in the lead-up to the same rally in that year.

Historical background and group hierarchy

Eastern Germany has historically served as a hotbed for both right-wing extremist and anti-immigrant youth groups, as well as the often militant antifascist groups that counter them.

Authorities characterize Johann G. as a senior figure within Antifa Ost, responsible for organizing violent acts and recruiting accomplices.

Alongside Paul M, he is alleged to have arranged training sessions where leftwing extremists trained in fighting methods and rehearsed attacks. In storage facilities managed by Paul M, the group allegedly accumulated tools, pepper spray, concealment items and communication devices.

Previous convictions and global responses

A different activist previously active with the group, Lina E, became a cause celebre within certain radical left communities following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on presumed far-right targets.

America's terrorist listing makes group members ineligible to enter the United States, blocks financial holdings they could possess within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal offering assistance to them.

The German right-wing Alternative for Germany welcomed the American move and called on the government in Berlin to follow suit. However, the country's diplomatic office simply stated it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The threat posed by the [Antifa Ost] group has recently decreased significantly. The ringleaders and particularly violent members have already been convicted or are in custody.”

Government spokesperson