Anarchist and Antifascist Organizations in Europe Face Terrorism Designation by US Regime

From Abolition Media

The United States Department of State has decided to designate four European groups associated with the Antifa movement as Foreign Terrorist Organizations” (FTOs) and “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” (SDGTs)—a move that marks a new escalation in the specific designations to have been applied to cells internationally linked to the anarchist and antifascist movement.

According to Fox News, the inclusion of the four organizations on the FTO and SDGT lists places them in the same category as groups like ISIS (Islamic State), Al-Qaeda. The decision extends former U.S. President Donald Trump’s prior directive on domestic terrorism, giving this policy an international dimension.

Two of the four organizations targeted by the U.S. are based in Greece: Armed Proletarian Justice and Revolutionary Class Self-Defense. According to fascist US media, these groups have carried out attacks on government buildings in various parts of the country, which clearly were linked to the ongoing revolutionary struggle against the state, capital and imperialism. The most recent attack involved a bombing at the headquarters of Hellenic Train last April. Revolutionary Class Self-Defense reportedly dedicated the attack “to the Palestinian people and their heroic resistance.”

One of the other organizations is Antifa Ost, a revolutionary organization linked to attacks in Germany between 2018 and 2023. German prosecutors have already charged seven individuals allegedly connected to its activities. In September 2025, the Hungarian state designated the group as a terrorist organization after allegations that nine members attacked Nazi’s in Budapest in 2023 using hammers, clubs, and pepper spray.

Another central group is the Informal Anarchist Federation, a coalition based in Italy that supports armed revolutionary struggle against the state. The group has been linked to dozens of revolutionary actions over the past two decades, including letter bombs sent to government and industrial targets, small explosive devices, and shooting incidents, including the injury of a nuclear engineering employee in 2012.

This is not the first time anarchist organizations have faced designation. The Conspiracy Cells of Fire and Revolutionary Struggle have both faced the same designation from the US regime. But the expansion of this process, as the US is launching internal fascist repression, makes this incredibly significant.

Comments

anon (not verified) Sun, 11/16/2025 - 04:14

Who are Italy’s FAI/FRI anarchists — now designated as terrorists by the U.S.? via https://decode39.com/12412/who-are-italys-fai-fri-anarchists-now-design…

The State Department has designated four far-left militant groups as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs), including Italy’s Federazione Anarchica Informale/International Revolutionary Front (FAI/FRI), the country’s most prominent anarchist-insurrectionist network.

The designations will be followed by their inclusion on the Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTO) list on November 20, 2025.

Why it matters: The move targets a transnational ecosystem of anarchist cells active across Europe. The designations restrict access to the U.S. financial system and expose individuals and entities to primary and secondary sanctions.

The groups targeted:

  • Antifa Ost (Germany): linked to assaults on individuals identified as “fascists” or part of the far-right scene; accused of attacks in Budapest in 2023; labelled a terrorist organisation by Hungary in 2025.
  • FAI/FRI (Italy) is the most structured and long-standing of the designated groups, with two decades of insurrectionist activity.
  • Armed Proletarian Justice (Greece): responsible for attempted and successful IED attacks against government targets, including a 2023 explosive device near Greece’s riot police headquarters.
  • Revolutionary Class Self-Defence (Greece): claimed two IED attacks between 2024 and 2025, citing anti-capitalist motives and solidarity with Palestine.

Zoom in: FAI/FRI, Italy’s anarchist-insurrectionist network. Italian security services describe FAI/FRI as a “horizontal” movement made up of autonomous cells united by an insurrectionist anarchist ideology and the practice of armed direct action.

  • The group rejects centralised structures and embraces an “informal” model designed to ensure anonymity, operational independence, and the absence of vertical coordination.

The Italian context: Italy hosts one of Europe’s most variegated anarchist environments, ranging from non-violent libertarian groups to militant factions that openly endorse insurrectionist methods. Across these currents runs a shared ideological core: the rejection of state authority and hierarchical power structures.

  • Active since the early 2000s, FAI/FRI is considered the leading expression of violent radical anarchism in Europe.
  • It has claimed attacks against political, judicial, and economic institutions seen as symbols of the state or “capitalism.”
  • Notable actions include the 2010 letter-bomb attacks on the Swiss and Chilean embassies in Rome and the 2012 shooting of Roberto Adinolfi, an executive of Ansaldo Nucleare, claimed by the “Olga Cell.”
  • Much of FAI/FRI’s recent visibility is tied to the case of Alfredo Cospito, one of the network’s leading figures.

From Washington’s perspective, FAI/FRI stands out as a transnational anarchist node, capable of inspiring or connecting with groups in Europe, South America, and Asia.

What do the designations do:

  • Freeze all assets belonging to the groups in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons.
  • Prohibit U.S. individuals and companies from engaging in any transactions with them.
  • Make it a federal crime to provide material support or resources knowingly.
  • Expose non-U.S. individuals and entities to secondary sanctions for certain dealings with the designated groups.

The measures are adopted under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224. FTO listings will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register.

informally_federated (not verified) Sun, 11/16/2025 - 17:31

Other than continuing to persecute the small handful of people who have been arrested in the past for FAI-FRI actions I don't see how this new "terrorist designation" would even work as it is not a structured organization nor does it have formal membership of any kind - it would be like chasing ghosts basically and besides it's an acronym that has had it's hey-day and is very rarely used anymore. New acronyms or even no acronyms will continue to be used to claim actions and the US State Department will be forever playing catch-up to no avail. I can see however that this latest development could have serious implications for some anarchist websites / blogs and publishing collectives whose members are known to the US authorities particularly if this going to be a retroactive thing and they classify publication of old FAI-FRI claims as "providing material support".

anonymous (not verified) Sun, 11/16/2025 - 21:54

In reply to by informally_federated (not verified)

"I don't see how this new "terrorist designation" would even work as it is not a structured organization nor does it have formal membership of any kind"

Where've you been? There's rando normie travelers out there who got detained or denied of entry due to having anti-Trump stuff on their phones while being searched at foreign airports. You think they couldn't push it further with some "guilt-by-opinion" allegations, then send whoever they deem "Antifa" or "anarcho-terrorists" to a nice and lofty prion in Nicaragua or Sudan.

Trump's fascist dictatorship might still being challenged in its build-up process, but it's very important for anyone who might have had their activity or positions recorded on some data server to not take stupid risks, behaving like we're still in 2020 or something.

Informally_federated (not verified) Wed, 11/19/2025 - 16:33

In reply to by anonymous (not verified)

All 5 Eyes countries have had the power to check electronic devices upon entry or departure for some time now, and I understand things are worse under Trump, but I just think listing groups shouldn't make us terrified / paralysed with fear particularly the FAI-FRI thing especially those of us outside the US. CCF were added under a previous US administration which had zero consequences. I just think that people who should be worried the most are US based anarchist website / blog operators and publishers, particularly if they are known to the state. Not sure what was so offensive about my comment.

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