By Karl Germ
A gang of left-wing extremists from Germany is said to have attacked eight people in Budapest (Hungary) with a hammer, telescopic baton and pepper spray. After an access by the police, two perpetrators (26, 29) from Berlin were arrested. Two other members (20, 22) from Leipzig and a 20-year-old from Jena are still being sought.
Tobias E. (29) from Kreuzberg and Anna M. (26) from Treptow are in custody in Budapest. The Hammer gang is said to have carried out four attacks between February 9th and 11th.
The victims: Mostly right-wing extremists who had traveled to Budapest for the “Day of Honour”. There, neo-Nazis from all over Europe commemorate the Wehrmacht and the SS, who launched a final attempt on February 11, 1945 to break out of the encirclement by the Red Army. Of around 70,000 soldiers, only hundreds survived.
Tobias E. (29, right) and Anna M. were arrested in Budapest Photo: Hungarian Police
The 29-year-old from Kreuzberg is said to have attacked two Hungarians with five accomplices on February 10 at around 11:30 p.m. in the 5th district. They attacked the victims from behind with a baton and sprayed them with pepper spray. While one victim suffered only minor head injuries, the other suffered multiple facial fractures.
The other three acts follow the same procedure and were partially filmed. Hungarian investigators were able to identify Anna M. and Tobias E. by their clothes in the city. They tried to flee by subway and taxi, which was unsuccessful.
A search of E. found a taxi receipt with an address in Budapest and the right key. Three other left-wing extremists were found in the apartment.
The left-wing extremist gang attacked their victims with striking tools, in some cases seriously injuring them Photo: Hungarian Police
Police officers searched the apartments of Anna M. and Tobias E. in Berlin on Wednesday. Since 2020, the Attorney General has been investigating Tobias E. for membership in a criminal organization. He is said to have committed politically motivated crimes.
In Hungary, both face up to eight years in prison.