Major Trial Commences in Dresden Against Alleged Left-Wing Extremist 'Hammer Group'

The Dresden Higher Regional Court has begun proceedings against seven individuals suspected of belonging to a left-wing extremist group, commonly referred to as the 'Hammer Group.' The defendants, aged between 28 and 49, are accused of orchestrating and carrying out violent attacks against individuals associated with right-wing circles across several German cities and abroad.

Authorities allege that the group emerged in the Leipzig area around late 2017 or early 2018, subsequently engaging in a series of organized assaults spanning multiple years. The prosecution charges the defendants with serious offenses, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, property damage, and participation in or support of a criminal organization.

According to court documents, the group targeted members of far-right networks with the intent to deter extremist activities, employing systematic planning that involved surveillance of intended victims' daily routines. The prosecution also notes that the accused regularly trained in martial arts to increase the effectiveness of their attacks. Tools such as hammers, batons, pepper spray, and face coverings were reportedly used during these operations.

The trial's central figure is Johann G., who is believed to have played a leading role within the group. He was apprehended after a period in hiding following extensive investigations by law enforcement agencies. The ongoing proceedings follow an earlier trial involving Lina E., another alleged leader, and three co-defendants, who were convicted and sentenced to prison in 2023 for related offenses.

The indictment outlines at least 14 attacks in cities including Wurzen, Leipzig, Dessau-Roßlau, Dortmund, Erfurt, and Budapest, resulting in injuries to 35 individuals, some of whom suffered significant harm. One notable incident in Dessau-Roßlau involved an attack on a group attending a far-right commemorative march, with prosecutors stating that the perpetrators accepted the possibility of fatal outcomes for the victims.

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office asserts that the accused shared a militant left-wing extremist ideology, rejecting the rule of law, the constitutional right to free expression, and the state's monopoly on the use of force. The group's alleged strategy was to create deterrent effects within right-wing circles by carrying out targeted acts of violence.

Heightened security measures are in place for the duration of the trial, with thorough screening for all attendees, including supporters and media representatives. On the first day, several dozen demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse, displaying banners and signs advocating for the release of the defendants.

The scale of the case, with its extensive list of alleged crimes and the number of individuals involved, has led officials to anticipate that the trial could extend over several years, with hearings already scheduled through the summer of 2026 and possibly concluding in 2027.