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A group of seven people accused of being the left-wing extremist organization the Antifa Ost network went on trial on Tuesday, accused for attacks targeting rightwing extremists that earned them the nickname “the hammer group”.

International terrorist designation and prosecution case

Recently, the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist group along with several other left-wing extremist and anarchist networks.

German prosecutors claim the group was behind attacks on sites in Germany and Hungary between 2018 and 2023. Among the incidents is the repeated targeting of a business proprietor in Thuringia, whose venue was known as a gathering spot for far-right supporters.

Certain individuals are allegedly accused of using hammers against suspected far-right members, causing several with serious injuries.

Trial details and cross-border allegations

Court proceedings involving six men and one woman is expected to run until July 2026 in the city of Dresden, Germany. A pair of suspects, identified as Johann G and Paul M, also face charges for violent incidents in the Hungarian capital during early 2023, around an annual event known as the “day of honor” that draws rightwing extremists from across Europe.

Separately, a different German individual, Maja T, is facing trial in Hungary for four counts of attempted assault against far-right activists prior to the identical event in that year.

Historical background and organizational structure

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

Prosecutors describe Johann G. as a high-ranking member within Antifa Ost, tasked with 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. At depots managed by Paul M, the network reportedly stockpiled tools, pepper spray, disguises and communication devices.

Previous convictions and international reactions

Another militant previously active with the organization, Lina E., emerged as a symbolic figure within some far-left activist circles following her 2023 guilty verdict 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 makes it illegal providing material support to them.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany applauded the American move and called on the German administration to take similar action. However, the German foreign ministry merely commented it had “acknowledged” of the American classification.

“The threat posed by the [Antifa Ost] group has recently decreased significantly. Key leaders and particularly violent members have either received convictions or remain detained.”

Government spokesperson