Germany’s Hammer Gang puts seven suspected far-left suspects on trial

Seven people are on trial in Dresden, eastern Germany, accused of being members or supporters of the armed criminal left-wing extremist group Antifa Ost, also known as the Hammer Gang.

Earlier this month, the United States designated Antifa Ost and several other European far-left groups as terrorist organizations.

German prosecutors said the group was formed in late 2017 or early 2018 and carried out violent attacks against people they believed were right-wing. The attacks took place in Germany and the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Six men and one woman on trial face charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault and property damage.

In accordance with German privacy laws, they are named only as Henry A, Tobias E, Johann G, Thomas J, Melissa K, Paul M and Julian W.

According to prosecutors, the attacks, which lasted for several years, were the result of “intensive” preparations, including monitoring targets in advance. In some cases, victims were seriously injured after being hit with hammers and batons.

One of the seven defendants, Johann G, is accused of playing an important role in the organization. He is accused of planning attacks and recruiting members. Prosecutors said another defendant, Paul M, organized combat training for the group.

In an attack in January 2019, John G, Tobias E and others allegedly attacked four people at the Dessau-Roslau train station in Germany as they were returning from events marking the anniversary of the World War II bombing in Magdeburg.

The defendant is accused of hitting the victim on the head with heavy tools including hammers and iron bars. Prosecutors said they continued to punch and kick the victim, threatening his life, even after he was knocked to the ground.

Johann G and Paul M are also accused of involvement in an attack in Budapest in February 2023.

At the time, right-wing extremists from across Europe gathered in Budapest to celebrate the so-called “Day of Honor” commemorating the attempt by the Wehrmacht, the Waffen-SS and their Hungarian collaborators to break out of the city besieged by the Red Army.

Johann G and Paul M are accused of taking part in several attacks, beating right-wing activists with batons, pepper spray and hammers. One of the victims received at least 15 blows, mainly to the head.

Antifa Ost designated as a terrorist organization It was part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on far-left activists earlier this month in the United States.

The designation makes members of the group ineligible to enter the United States, freezes any assets they may have in the world’s largest economy and criminalizes providing them with material support.

The move was welcomed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Stephen Brandner of the Alternative for Germany party said the German government should follow suit.

“Antifa is a terrorist organization and it would be easy for the German government to take action against it. It’s just that those in power don’t want to do it,” he said.

“The U.S. government is pointing the way forward; this is something Germany is long overdue. All forms of extremism must be fought, and all terrorist organizations must be combated and banned.”

The German Foreign Ministry said it had taken note of the U.S. decision.