Ministerium für Staatssicherheit
official state security service of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
English: The Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS / en:Ministry for State Security), commonly known as the Stasi (from Staatssicherheit), was the main security (secret police) and intelligence organization of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The Stasi was headquartered in East Berlin, with an extensive complex in Berlin-Lichtenberg and several smaller facilities throughout the city. It was widely regarded as one of the most effective – and repressive – intelligence and secret police agencies in the world. The Stasi's motto was "Schild und Schwert der Partei" (Shield and Sword of the Party), showing its connections to the SED, the equivalent to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Another term used in earlier years to refer to the Stasi was Staatssicherheitsdienst (State Security Service).
- See also : Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen
Gallery
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Emblema -
Orders of 20, 25, 30 years of loyal service to the Ministry for State Security -
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HVA Offices in the Ministry for State Security (Stasi) in Berlin-Lichtenberg -
Rechts Haus 1 (Sitz des Büros des Ministers), im Hintergrund Mitarbeiterkantine und Kaufhalle -
Headquarter in Berlin-Lichtenberg. Haus 1 (of Erich Mielke) -
Secretariat of the minster -
Kitchen -
Surveillance -
Prison -
Hauptgebäude Abteilung Nachrichten (Überwachung Telekommunikation), Berlin-Lichtenberg, Gotlindestraße -
Heißluftgebläse zum Öffnen von Briefen
Ministers of State Security
edit- Wilhelm Zaisser (1950–1953)
- Ernst Wollweber (1953–1957)
- Erich Mielke (1957–1989)