A murder trial against an ex-Stasi employee began in Berlin on Thursday (see video above). The now 80-year-old is accused of shooting a Pole in the back in 1974 at the GDR border crossing at Friedrichstrasse station.
The German is said to have been part of an operational group of the GDR Ministry for State Security and in this role was given the task of ‘harming’ the 38-year-old Pole. The incident took place on March 29, 1974. The investigation into the case was stalled for years. According to the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, a crucial clue to the identity of the shooter came from the Stasi archive in 2016. Initially, authorities assumed it was manslaughter, in which case the crime would have expired. The Public Prosecution Service now recognizes the trait of treachery that is crucial in murder.
“Excellent Contemporary Historical Significance”
The suspect remained silent at the start of the trial on Thursday. His lawyer said he denied the allegations. All three children and the sister of the deceased Pole are represented as co-plaintiffs in the proceedings. A lead detective and a former eyewitness were invited for the first day. Two prosecutors from Poland and a historian involved in the investigation into the case also attended.
Judgment possible on May 23
According to a court spokeswoman, the trial will be recorded because of its “excellent contemporary historical significance” for Germany. The audio recordings would be made available to the state archives. The regional court initially scheduled a total of seven trial days. A verdict could be handed down on May 23.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
