A German court in Dresden has opened a high-profile trial against seven left-wing activists accused of carrying out a series of violent attacks on far-right groups in eastern Germany. The defendants are alleged members of the Antifa Ost network, and the case has drawn attention both nationally and across Europe.

The trial, which began on November 25, 2025, involves one woman and six men who are charged with politically motivated assaults targeting neo-Nazis and other right-wing extremists between 2018 and 2023. Their attacks earned them the nickname the “hammer gang.”

Charges Against Defendants

Among the suspects is Lina E., a previously convicted lead defendant, along with six male activists. Some of the defendants face additional allegations for attacking far-right participants at the Day of Honour event in Budapest, Hungary, in February 2023, where several people were injured.

Another activist, Maja T., was extradited to Hungary and is on trial there. She faces up to 24 years in prison for charges including membership in a criminal organisation, attempted homicide, and serious bodily injury.

The case also involves Ilaria Salis, an Italian antifascist arrested at the same Budapest event on charges of attempted assault and participation in an extreme left-wing organisation. Salis was held in Hungarian custody for 15 months but was released after being elected to the European Parliament in 2024. A request from Hungary to lift her parliamentary immunity was rejected last month.

Regional and Political Context

The trial is taking place in eastern Germany, a region formerly under communist rule, where far-right and anti-immigrant political forces have gained considerable support in recent years. Experts note that Hungary, under an illiberal government, has become a center for far-right activity and prosecutes left-wing activists more aggressively.

The United States government has also designated Antifa Ost and several European left-wing and anarchist groups as foreign terrorist organizations, a move welcomed by Germany’s far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD). However, the German government has not followed suit, and Berlin shows no interest in labeling the groups as terrorist organizations.

Trial Duration and Implications

The trial of the seven individuals in Dresden is expected to continue until July 2026. Observers say the proceedings highlight tensions in Germany and Europe between left-wing activists and far-right groups, raising broader questions about political violence and the limits of lawful protest.

This case marks one of the most high-profile prosecutions of left-wing activists in Germany in recent years, reflecting the country’s ongoing struggle to balance civil liberties with security concerns.