Werner Großmann (9 March 1929 – 28 January 2022) was a German deputy leader of the Ministry for State Security (Stasi).[1]

Werner Großmann
Born(1929-03-09)9 March 1929
Died28 January 2022(2022-01-28) (aged 92)
Berlin, Germany
NationalityGerman
OccupationDeputy Minister for State Security
Espionage activity
AllegianceEast Germany
Service years1952–1990
RankGeneraloberst

Biography

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Born in Oberebenheit, Saxony, Großmann started his career as a bricklayer, but in 1952 he joined the Ministry for State Security where he studied political and military espionage. He rose rapidly in the ranks and was promoted to deputy division leader of military espionage in 1956, becoming division leader in 1962.[2]

In 1983, he was promoted to deputy head of the General Reconnaissance Administration (HVA), the foreign espionage arm of the Stasi. In 1986 when Markus Wolf retired, Großmann was promoted to head of the HVA and deputy minister of state security.[3] In 1989, he was awarded the rank of Generaloberst. When the Stasi was dissolved in 1990, Großmann, like all other members, lost his position.[2] Großmann appeared at several events organised by The Left political party.[4]

Großmann died in Berlin on 28 January 2022, at the age of 92.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ Klaus Marxen; Gerhard Werle (2004). Strafjustiz und DDR-Unrecht: Spionage. De Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-89949-080-0.
  2. ^ a b Rob Edwards (4 November 1995). "Just doing his job". New Scientist (2002): 8–10.
  3. ^ Ilan Berman; J. Michael Waller (December 2005). Dismantling Tyranny: Transitioning Beyond Totalitarian Regimes. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 65. ISBN 0-7425-4903-8.
  4. ^ "Proteste gegen Auftritt von Ex-Stasi-General Werner Großmann". Die Welt. 26 September 2008.
  5. ^ "Letzter Chef der DDR-Auslandsspionage gestorben". Bietigheimer Zeitung (in German). 28 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Aufklärer seiner Klasse" (in German). nd-aktuell.de. 29 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.