In a high-profile trial in Dresden, eastern Germany, seven individuals are facing charges related to their alleged involvement in the militant left-wing extremist group Antifa Ost, also known as the “hammer gang.” The group, which the United States recently designated as a terrorist organization, is accused of orchestrating violent attacks against individuals associated with right-wing ideologies. The defendants, identified only as Henry A, Tobias E, Johann G, Thomas J, Melissa K, Paul M, and Julian W due to German privacy laws, are charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and property damage. German prosecutors claim that the group, founded in late 2017 or early 2018, meticulously planned and executed attacks in Germany and Budapest, Hungary, often using hammers and batons to inflict severe injuries. Johann G, one of the accused, is alleged to have played a leadership role, planning attacks and recruiting members, while Paul M reportedly organized combat training for the group. Notable incidents include a 2019 attack at Dessau-Rosslau train station and a series of assaults in Budapest in 2023 during a right-wing gathering. The U.S. designation of Antifa Ost as a terrorist organization has led to calls from Germany’s far-right AfD party for similar action domestically. The German government has acknowledged the U.S. decision but has yet to announce any corresponding measures.