German court opens trial against left-wing ‘hammer gang’

A pistillate and six men are accused of being down a drawstring of attacks betwixt 2018 and 2023 that injured respective people.

A German tribunal has opened the proceedings of respective left-wing activists accused of convulsive attacks connected right-wing hardliners.

The tribunal successful Dresden successful southeast Germany connected Tuesday launched the lawsuit against 7 members of the Antifa Ost group, who are accused of injuring respective radical successful politically motivated assaults.

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They are accused of targeting neo-Nazi and different right-wing hardliners successful bludgeoning attacks carried retired betwixt 2018 and 2023 successful eastbound Germany. The attacks saw them branded the “hammer gang”.

The suspects see a previously convicted pb defendant, Lina E, and six men.

Two of the suspects are besides accused of injuring respective radical successful Budapest successful February 2023 during the Day of Honour lawsuit successful the Hungarian capital, which draws right-wing hardliners from crossed Europe.

Another German activist, Maja T, was earlier extradited to Hungary, wherever she is connected trial. She faces a condemnation of up to 24 years for rank of a transgression organisation, attempted homicide, and superior bodily injury.

Illiberal beacon

The proceedings is 1 of the astir high-profile prosecutions of left-wing activists successful Germany successful caller years. It is taking spot successful ex-communist eastbound Germany, a portion successful which far-right and anti-immigrant groups person flourished and utmost right-wing governmental forces have recovered important support.

The illiberal authorities successful Budapest has besides helped to marque Hungary thing of a beacon for the acold right, and it has been anxious to prosecute crimes of left-wing forces.

Another Italian antifascist activist, Ilaria Salis, arrested during the Day of Honour lawsuit successful 2023 connected 3 counts of attempted battle and rank of an utmost left-wing organisation, was held successful Hungarian custody for astir 15 months.

However, she had to beryllium released erstwhile she was elected to the European Parliament for Italy’s Greens and Left Alliance successful June past year.

Last month, the European Parliament voted down a petition from Budapest to assistance her parliamentary immunity truthful that her prosecution could continue.

United States President Donald Trump, who has accused the “radical left” of pursuing governmental violence, has precocious designated Antifa Ost and respective different European left-wing and anarchist groups arsenic “foreign violent organisations”.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), itself designated an “extremist” organisation successful Germany, welcomed Washington’s determination and said the German authorities indispensable travel suit. However, Berlin has shown nary involvement successful taking the measurement truthful far.

The trials of the 7 individuals successful Germany are expected to tally until July 2026.