Germany To Try Ex-Stasi Officer For Pole's Murder Nearly 50 Years Ago
NDTV
The 80-year-old defendant, an ex-member of the East German secret police, is accused of murdering Czeslaw Kukuczka at a border crossing in Berlin.
A former Stasi officer will go on trial in Germany on Thursday for shooting a Polish man attempting to flee to West Berlin almost 50 years ago, a case that could impact how killings committed in the communist era are dealt with.
The 80-year-old defendant, an ex-member of the East German secret police identified by the court as Martin N., is accused of murdering Czeslaw Kukuczka at a border crossing in Berlin.
The delay in filing the charges illustrates the challenges Germany has faced in bringing East German officials to justice for crimes committed by the communist government in its bid to stop citizens from escaping to the West.
