(DailyChive.com) – On Friday, German police arrested Johann Guntermann, the alleged leader of a violent Antifa group known as the “Hammer Gang.” Authorities accuse Guntermann of planning and carrying out attacks against right-wing activists across Europe.
Guntermann, a 31-year-old who had been evading authorities for years, was finally caught on a train near the city of Weimar. German police call him one of the country’s most dangerous left-wing extremists. He appeared in court on Saturday in Karlsruhe, as reported by Germany’s Bild newspaper.
According to reports, Guntermann has “HATE” tattooed on his right hand and “COPS” on his left, signaling his extreme views. He had been wanted since March 2021, with a bounty of 10,000 euros on his head. Officials are unclear whether someone turned him in for the reward.
Guntermann’s group, the “Hammer Gang,” is known for its brutal methods. Their attacks allegedly involved using hammers and batons to target right-wing individuals and groups, including neo-Nazi collectives. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that “nobody can feel safe in the underground,” sending a message that violent acts won’t be ignored.
One incident under investigation took place in Budapest earlier this year, on February 11. German police believe Guntermann and his associates attacked a group they identified as “neo-Nazis.” Italian activist and anti-fascist Ilaria Salis, who allegedly took part in this attack, was later released from house arrest in Hungary after winning a seat in the European Parliament in June. Her new position granted her immunity from prosecution, sparking a backlash.
In October, members of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party formally asked the European Parliament to lift Salis’s immunity. They argue she should face justice, as she was found guilty of three counts of assault. However, Salis denies the charges.
Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, confirmed that Hungary’s request will be reviewed by the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.
With Guntermann now in custody, European authorities hope to deter further attacks and address the rise in violent extremism from both left- and right-wing groups.
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