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A group of seven people allegedly belonging to the German far-left militant group the Antifa Ost network began their trial on Tuesday, accused for violent actions against far-right activists that resulted in the moniker “the hammer group”.

International terrorist designation and prosecution case

Recently, the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization together with several other European far-left and anarchist groups.

German prosecutors state the network was behind attacks on sites in the country and neighboring Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Among the incidents is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in central Thuringia, whose venue reportedly served as a gathering spot for rightwing activists.

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

Trial details and cross-border allegations

The trial involving seven defendants is scheduled to continue until July 2026 in the eastern city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, named as Johann G and Paul M, also face charges for violent incidents in the Hungarian capital during February 2023, around an annual event called the “day of honour” that attracts rightwing extremists from across Europe.

Separately, a different German individual, Maja T., is facing trial in Hungary for multiple charges of attempted violent acts against neo-Nazis prior to the same rally in 2023.

Regional context and organizational structure

The former East Germany has historically served as a hotbed for both far-right and anti-immigrant youth groups, as well as the often militant antifascist groups that oppose them.

Authorities characterize Johann G as a high-ranking member within the organization, responsible for planning attacks and bringing in new members.

Together with Paul M, he is alleged to have arranged instruction courses where radical left activists practised combat techniques and simulated violent actions. At depots overseen by Paul M, the network allegedly accumulated hammers, irritant sprays, concealment items and communication devices.

Previous convictions and global responses

A different activist previously active with the organization, Lina E, emerged as a cause celebre within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict for attacks on suspected right-wing individuals.

America's terrorist listing renders organization affiliates barred from entering the US, freezes any assets they could possess within the world’s largest economy and makes it illegal providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany applauded the American move and urged the German administration 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 substantially diminished lately. The ringleaders and most aggressive participants have either received convictions or remain detained.”

Interior ministry spokesperson