Dresden – Germany
The city of Dresden witnessed the opening of one of Europe’s most talked-about cases, as the trial began for seven defendants linked to a radical left-wing group known in the media as the “Hammer Gang.” The group faces charges of carrying out a series of organized attacks against far-right individuals between 2018 and 2023.
Investigations indicate that the defendants are connected to a left-wing network called Antifa Ost, an anti-fascist movement accused of organizing targeted operations against far-right figures. Security services in Germany consider the group one of the more concerning radical movements due to its covert activities.
One of the most notable incidents highlighted in the case took place in Budapest in February 2023 during “Honor Day,” an annual gathering of far-right supporters. Several participants were attacked and injured, prompting a wide-scale investigation that tracked the suspects’ movements across multiple European countries.
According to the prosecutor’s office, the group operated in a highly organized manner, beginning with surveillance of targets and ending with coordinated attacks using metal tools such as hammers—earning them the nickname “Hammer Gang.” Case files point to pre-planned operations backed by communication records that show coordination among the suspects.
This trial comes at a time of rising political tension between right-wing and left-wing movements across Germany and Europe. Analysts believe the case could reignite discussions about the limits of political activism and the state’s responsibility to confront violence, regardless of its source.
Reactions among political groups and media outlets vary. Far-right parties view the case as evidence of “organized left-wing violence,” while some left-wing groups argue that the trial carries political motives. Civil society organizations, however, emphasize the importance of a fair trial to safeguard democratic principles from all forms of extremism.
