Trial Begins for 'Hammer Gang' Members in Germany Amid International Controversy

Wed Nov 26 2025 10:59:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Seven accused members of the left-wing extremist group Antifa Ost, dubbed the 'hammer gang,' face trial in Dresden for violent attacks on right-wing individuals.

In Dresden, seven individuals, part of the militant group Antifa Ost, are on trial for severe violence against those they label right-wing extremists. Following their designation as a terrorist organization by the U.S., the group's actions, spanning several years, have drawn significant attention, especially regarding their alleged methods of violent assault. The implications of their activities resonate on both a national and international scale, intertwining the discourse around extremism and public safety.

Seven people have gone on trial in Dresden, eastern Germany, charged with being members or supporters of a militant, criminal left-wing extremist group, Antifa Ost - also known as the 'hammer gang'.

Earlier this month the United States designated Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization, along with several other far-left European groups.

German prosecutors say the group, founded in late 2017 or early 2018, carried out violent attacks on people they considered to be part of the right-wing scene. The attacks took place in Germany and in the Hungarian capital Budapest.

The six men and one woman who are on trial face charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and property damage.

They have been named only as Henry A, Tobias E, Johann G, Thomas J, Melissa K, Paul M and Julian W, in line with German privacy laws.

According to prosecutors, the attacks, which went on for several years, were prepared for 'intensively' and included, for example, spying on the targets in advance. In several cases victims were severely injured with blows from a hammer and batons.

One of the seven defendants, Johann G, is charged with having a prominent role in the group. He is accused of having planned the attacks and recruited members. Prosecutors say that another defendant, Paul M, organized combat training for the group.

In one attack, in January 2019, Johann G, Tobias E and others are alleged to have attacked four people at Germany's Dessau-Rosslau train station who were on their way back from a rally in Magdeburg, marking the anniversary of the World War Two bombing of the city.

The defendants are accused of striking the victims on the head with heavy tools, including a hammer and an iron bar. Prosecutors say they continued to inflict life-threatening blows and kicks, even after their victims had been knocked to the ground.

Johann G and Paul M are also accused of having taken part in attacks in Budapest in February 2023, where right-wing extremists gathered for a so-called 'Day of Honour.' In these incidents, they allegedly used batons, pepper spray, and hammers, inflicting serious injuries, including multiple blows to the head on victims.

The designation of Antifa Ost as a terrorist group in the U.S. marks a significant turn in how such groups are perceived and treated internationally, influencing both policy and public opinion.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party expressed support for these designations, advocating for similar actions in Germany to combat extremism.

The implications of this case extend beyond legal boundaries, affecting national discussions on extremism, violence, and the future of public safety in both Germany and across Europe.