Germany’s Federal Court of Justice has upheld the conviction of Lina E, a notorious left-wing extremist linked to a series of violent attacks on neo-Nazis, police officers, and even an uninvolved bystander. The ruling, delivered on March 19 in Karlsruhe, confirmed the 2023 verdict against Lina E and her associates, dubbed the “hammer gang” for their brutal assault tactics.
Lina E, considered the group’s ringleader, was sentenced to five years and three months, while three accomplices received around three years each. Prosecutors had pushed for harsher penalties, arguing the initial sentences were too lenient. Meanwhile, Lina E’s defense team challenged the ruling, citing unreliable witness testimony and insufficient evidence.
The attacks, carried out with hammers, clubs, and pepper spray, were labeled “commando-style” operations by authorities. Judge Jürgen Schäfer made it clear: “Politics is fought with words, not violence.” Despite this, left-wing radicals, including Antifa supporters, threatened retaliation after the 2023 ruling, leading to riots across Germany.
During the appeal, no new evidence or testimony was considered—only legal errors were reviewed. Finding none, the court upheld the decision. Lina E, notably absent from the verdict reading, remains at large. Though released in 2023 after two and a half years in pre-trial detention, she must comply with strict conditions, including regular police check-ins and travel restrictions.
As tensions persist, Germany continues to grapple with its growing left-wing extremist scene. According to the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, 37,000 individuals were classified as left-wing extremists in 2023, with over 11,000 deemed violent.
Outside the court, protesters gathered, waving banners demanding her freedom. Unlike last year’s riots, this time, there was no reported violence—but the case remains a flashpoint in Germany’s ongoing political battles.
